The discovery of the Beechcraft 1900, registration HK-4709, operated by Satena, brings a tragic conclusion to the disappearance of the aircraft that was covering the Cucuta–Ocana route this Wednesday. The Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia confirmed that all 15 occupants perished, as officials initiate a technical investigation to determine the causes of the crash.
Flight Timeline and Last Contact
- According to official reports, the flight departed Cucuta at 11:42 a.m.
- The aircraft was scheduled to land in Ocana at approximately 12:05 p.m.
- The final contact with air traffic control was recorded at 11:54 a.m., just minutes before its estimated arrival time.
Impact Site: Harsh Geography and Challenging Weather
The wreckage was located in the Curasica sector, a rural area of the La Playa de Belen municipality in the department of Norte de Santander. This mountainous region is known for its difficult access, which delayed the arrival of emergency teams. Consequently, authorities initially relied on local farmers who reached the site first to provide preliminary images and videos.
Governor William Villamizar confirmed that unfavorable weather conditions prevailed in the area. Historically, such conditions have complicated both aerial operations and search and rescue efforts in this specific region of the country.
Coordinated Aerial Search
Once communication was lost, a search operation was immediately activated:
- Three aircraft from the Colombian Aerospace Force were deployed.
- Two additional aircraft from the private company Searca assisted in the operation.
- These teams conducted flyovers concentrated on the areas surrounding the flight’s last known coordinates.
Victims and Regional Impact
The loss of the 15 occupants has had a significant political and social impact on Norte de Santander. Among the deceased were several high-profile figures:
- Diogenes Quintero: Representative to the Chamber for the Special Peace Constituency.
- Carlos Caicedo: Candidate for the Chamber of Representatives for Catatumbo.
- A former Ocana council member and several local citizens were also on board.
Authorities confirmed that seven bodies were initially recovered, while recovery efforts for the remaining victims continue in the complex terrain.
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, the cause of the accident remains undetermined. The Civil Aviation Authority stated that the incident is currently under investigation and has declined to offer early hypotheses regarding technical failures, specific weather conditions, or operational factors.
Related Topics
Lufthansa Group and Air India Sign MoU for Joint Business Agreement Following EU-India Free Trade Deal
Air India Fined $110,350 for Operating Airbus A320 Without Valid Airworthiness Certificate
AirAsia X Launches Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London Route, Establishing Bahrain as Its First Strategic Hub Outside Asia
EVA Air Launches New Route Between Taipei and Washington D.C. Starting in June
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.