15 Killed in Colombia Plane Crash: Beechcraft 1900 Disaster

Tragic Plane Crash Claims All 15 Lives in Colombia

A state-operated regional flight in Colombia ended in tragedy on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, when a Beechcraft 1900D aircraft crashed in the mountainous Norte de Santander department, killing all 15 people on board. The SATENA-operated flight, designated as 9R8895, was en route from Cúcuta's Camilo Daza International Airport to Ocaña's Aguas Claras Airport when it disappeared from radar just 12 minutes after takeoff.

Flight Details and Immediate Aftermath

The twin-engine turboprop, registration HK-4709, took off at 16:42 UTC (11:42 a.m. local time) on what should have been a routine 40-minute domestic flight. According to aviation authorities, the aircraft reached an altitude of 12,900 feet before beginning a rapid descent. The last ADS-B data point showed the plane at 7,900 feet at 16:54 UTC before all contact was lost.

Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, with teams facing challenging terrain in the remote Curasica village area between the municipalities of Hacarí and La Playa de Belén. 'Once the plane was located, authorities unfortunately had to confirm that there were no survivors,' Colombia's Ministry of Transport stated in an official release.

Victims and Political Significance

Among the 13 passengers and 2 crew members killed was Colombian Congressman Diógenes Quintero, who was traveling to the Venezuela border region where he had been working on security and development initiatives. Also on board was congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo, making this crash particularly significant in Colombia's political landscape.

'This is a devastating loss for our nation and for the families affected,' said Colombian President Gustavo Petro in a televised address. 'We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what happened and ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.'

Aircraft History and Safety Concerns

The crashed Beechcraft 1900D was manufactured in 1994 and had a complex operational history. Originally delivered to Mesa Air Group in the United States, the 31-year-old aircraft had been operating under a wet-lease agreement with SEARCA for SATENA since December 2024. According to Aviation Safety Network records, the same aircraft was involved in a previous incident in 1997 when it struck a snow bank at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, causing substantial damage but no fatalities.

The Beechcraft 1900, developed from the Beechcraft Super King Air, has been one of the most popular 19-passenger airliners in history with 695 aircraft built before production ended in 2002. While generally considered reliable, the aircraft's age and Colombia's challenging mountainous terrain have raised questions about regional aviation safety.

Investigation and Regional Challenges

Colombian aviation authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash. The remote crash site, located in an area known for coca cultivation and illegal armed group activity, has complicated recovery operations. The Catatumbo region where the crash occurred presents unique challenges with its rugged geography and security concerns from groups like ELN and FARC dissidents.

According to Wikipedia's entry on the incident, the aircraft's emergency beacon was not activated, raising questions about what happened in the final moments of the flight. Weather conditions at the time of the crash are being examined, though initial reports suggest the area experienced typical mountainous weather patterns.

Broader Context of Colombian Aviation

This tragedy comes amid ongoing concerns about aviation safety in Colombia's difficult terrain. The country's mountainous regions have historically presented challenges for regional flights, with several accidents occurring in similar conditions over the past decade. SATENA, Colombia's state-owned regional airline, serves many remote communities that would otherwise be inaccessible, highlighting the essential but risky nature of such operations.

The crash has prompted calls for enhanced safety measures for regional flights in Colombia, particularly for older aircraft operating in challenging environments. As recovery operations continue and the investigation progresses, families of the victims await answers about what caused this devastating loss of life in Colombia's northeastern mountains.