Additional Coverage:
- Commercial flight vanishes before crashing in Colombia, killing all 15 people on board, including congressman (foxnews.com)
Tragic Plane Crash Near Colombia-Venezuela Border Claims 15 Lives, Including Colombian Politician
Cúcuta, Colombia – A commercial flight operated by Colombia’s state-owned airline Satena crashed Wednesday near the Colombian-Venezuelan border, killing all 15 people on board, including a Colombian politician.
Flight HK-4709, a Beechcraft 1900, was on the Cúcuta-Ocaña route when it disappeared shortly after takeoff. The aircraft departed at 11:42 a.m. and was scheduled to land at approximately 12:05 p.m. Its last contact with air traffic control was recorded at 11:54 a.m.
Upon realizing the loss of contact, Satena initiated extensive aerial search operations. Aircraft from the Colombian Aerospace Force, National Army, and charter flight company Searca scoured the area where the last known information on the plane was received, as well as its planned flight path.
Tragically, just before 5:30 p.m., Satena confirmed the crash, citing information from local community officials. There were no survivors.
The two crew members were identified as Captain Miguel Vanegas and Captain Jose de la Vega. The thirteen passengers who lost their lives were María Álvarez Barbosa, Carlos Salcedo, Rolando Penaloza Gualdron, María Díaz Rodríguez, Maira Avendano Rincon, Anayisel Quintero, Karen Parales Vera, Anirley Julio Osorio, Gineth Rincon, Diogenes Quintero Amaya, Natalia Acosta Salcedo, Maira Sánchez Criado, and Juan Pacheco Mejía.
Among the deceased were notable political figures. Diogenes Quintero Amaya was a member of the House of Representatives of Colombia, and Carlos Salcedo was a candidate for the same legislative body.
In a statement, Satena expressed profound sorrow: “From Satena, we extend our most sincere condolences, with profound sorrow and full solidarity, to the families of our passengers and crew members who lost their lives in this accident.” The airline affirmed its commitment to deploying all resources to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims’ families and to fully investigate and clarify the circumstances of the tragedy.
Satena is a vital airline in Colombia, frequently utilized by government officials and tourists, connecting the capital with smaller regional airports across the nation.
The area where the plane disappeared is known for its challenging mountainous terrain and often experiences poor visibility. Local reports indicate that the region between Cúcuta and the Catatumbo area has endured weeks of heavy rains, a factor that could have contributed to difficult flying conditions. This region has also faced recent challenges with violence, including targeted killings, kidnappings, and forced displacement of civilians.