A small passenger aircraft crashed in northeastern Colombia on January 28, 2026, killing all 15 people on board, including a Colombian lawmaker and a congressional candidate, authorities confirmed.
The state-owned airline Satena flight, a Beechcraft 1900D turboprop operating between Cúcuta in the Norte de Santander department and Ocaña, lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff, officials said.
Rescue crews later located the wreckage in a remote, mountainous rural area near the border with Venezuela.
Colombian authorities said there were no survivors among the 13 passengers and two crew members.
Among the victims were Diógenes Quintero, a 36-year-old member of Colombia’s House of Representatives representing the Catatumbo region, and Carlos Salcedo, a political candidate running for a congressional seat in the upcoming elections.
Both were known for their community work and engagement in humanitarian causes.
The aircraft lost radar contact approximately 12 minutes after departure from Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta.
Officials have not yet released a definitive cause for the crash and have said a formal investigation is underway.
The crash site’s location, isolated and difficult to reach, is known for rugged landscapes and unpredictable weather, factors that can complicate search and recovery operations.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro and political leaders expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of the victims and vowing support as authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.
