Colombian authorities have confirmed a fatal plane crash when a small commercial plane operated by state-owned airline Satena disappeared from radar during a flight over north-eastern Colombia. The plane was later found crashed and none of the 15 people on board survived.
Satena’s Flight NSE 8849, a Beechcraft 1900D aircraft (registration number HK-4709), took off from Cúcuta’s Camilo Daza International Airport at about 11:42 pm (local time). The plane was headed for a flight of about 20-25 minutes to Aguas Claras Airport in Ocaña.
The aircraft maintained normal contact with air traffic control until 11:54 pm (local time), but just minutes before the expected landing all communications and radar signals suddenly ceased.
Initial reports indicated the plane was missing, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation by Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority, Aerospace Force, military units and local emergency teams in the inaccessible Catatumbo region, located near the Venezuelan border.
The region is known for dense forests and complex weather, which has posed many challenges to rescue operations. Sateena’s statement confirmed that there were 13 passengers and two crew members on board, and that all available resources had been activated in coordination with aviation and defense officials, CNN reported.
Unfortunately, the wreckage of the plane was found later in the day near Curaçaca, Playa de Belen in Colombia’s Norte de Contraband province. Official information confirmed that the plane had crashed in a rural, mountainous area and that none of the 15 people on board survived.
The dead included Diogenes Quintero, a 36-year-old member of the Colombian House of Representatives representing conflict victims, and social leader and congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo. Quintero was widely known as a dedicated supporter of his field, and political leaders across Colombia deeply mourned his passing.
Satena and national authorities have promised a full investigation into the cause of the accident. “We express our deepest condolences and condolences to the families of our passengers and crew members who lost their lives in the accident and stand in complete solidarity with them,” the airline said in a public statement.
The airline further said it would provide all resources to assist the families and investigate the cause of the incident.
Officials are working to gather information about the final moments of Flight NSE 8849 as part of a comprehensive investigation into this tragic accident. They are analyzing flight data, environmental conditions and the complex geography of the crash site.