Colombia, Jan 29 : Colombian authorities confirmed a tragic aviation accident on January 28, after a Satena operated Beechcraft 1900D went missing en route in northeastern Colombia and was later found crashed, leaving no survivors among the 15 people on board.
Flight NSE 8849, registered as HK-4709, departed Camilo Daza International Airport in Cucuta at 11:42 am local time, heading to Aguas Claras Airport in Ocana. The flight maintained normal contact with air traffic control until 11:54 am, just minutes before its scheduled landing, when radar signals and communications abruptly ceased.
Search-and-rescue operations were immediately launched by Colombia’s civil aviation authority, the Aerospace Force, military units, and local emergency teams across the Catatumbo region near the Venezuelan border, an area known for dense jungle and challenging terrain. The flight carried 13 passengers and two crew members, according to Satena.
Later in the day, wreckage was discovered near Curasica, Playa de Belen in Norte de Santander province. Officials confirmed that the plane crashed in a mountainous, rural area, and all 15 on board perished. Among the victims were Diogenes Quintero, a 36-year-old member of Colombia’s House of Representatives advocating for conflict victims, and Carlos Salcedo, a social leader and congressional candidate. Leaders across Colombia expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
Satena and national authorities have pledged a full investigation into the accident, examining flight data, environmental factors, and the challenging geography of the crash site. In a statement, the airline expressed condolences to the families and committed to providing full support while determining the cause of the tragedy.
This devastating incident marks one of Colombia’s deadliest small aircraft accidents in recent years, highlighting the risks of flying in remote and rugged regions.