No fewer than 15 people, including a sitting lawmaker, have died after a small passenger aircraft crashed in northern Colombia shortly after take-off.
The Satena Airlines flight, identified as HK4709, lost contact with air traffic control about 12 minutes after departing Cúcuta en route to Ocaña, a journey that typically lasts around 40 minutes. The aircraft was carrying 13 passengers and two crew members.
Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that there were no survivors.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the government-owned airline said the aircraft “suffered a fatal accident, resulting in 15 deaths,” and expressed condolences to the families of those on board.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the passengers and crew. All available resources will be deployed to provide humanitarian assistance and to determine the cause of the accident, the airline said.
the plane wreckage
Among those killed were Diógenes Quintero, a member of Colombia’s House of Representatives, and Carlos Salcedo Salaza, a congressional candidate, according to a passenger manifest released by the airline.
Authorities said the wreckage was located near Curasica in Playa de Belén, Norte de Santander, close to Colombia’s border with Venezuela. Local residents reportedly alerted officials after spotting debris in the area, prompting the deployment of rescue and recovery teams.
Colombia’s Minister of Transport, Mafe Rojas, said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the crash, noting that the aircraft’s emergency beacon was not activated.
Flight data indicated a sudden loss of altitude approximately 11 minutes before the plane was due to land.
The aircraft was last tracked over the Catatumbo region, a remote, mountainous area covered by dense jungle, which initially hampered search efforts.
The National Army was mobilized to assist with recovery operations, while aviation authorities continue to examine flight records and communications.
