Small Plane Crashes in Colombia, Killing 15 Including Parliament Member

A Satena-operated Beechcraft 1900 passenger plane crashed on Wednesday in northeastern Colombia’s Norte de Santander province, killing all 15 people on board, including a member of the Colombian Parliament and an election candidate.

The aircraft, designated Flight NSE 8849, had departed from Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta early in the afternoon, bound for Aguas Claras Airport in Ocaña near the Venezuela border. About 12 minutes after takeoff, contact with air traffic control was lost, and the aircraft did not arrive at its scheduled landing time.

Rescue crews located the wreckage in a remote and mountainous area near Curasica, Playa de Belén. Emergency responders confirmed that there were no survivors among the 13 passengers and two crew members aboard the flight.

Among the victims was Diógenes Quintero Amaya, a 36-year-old member of Colombia’s Chamber of Representatives, known for representing the Catatumbo region and advocating for peace and victims’ rights. Also killed was Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the upcoming congressional elections.

Colombia’s Transportation Ministry and Satena confirmed the fatalities and said an official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet released a definitive reason for the accident, and adverse weather and the rugged terrain are among the early factors under review.

The government has expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased, with national leaders describing the incident as a national tragedy and pledging full support for the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts.