A routine flight turned into a devastating tragedy after a small passenger plane disappeared over Colombia and was later found crashed in a remote mountainous region — with no survivors.
Officials confirmed that all 15 people onboard died after Satena Airlines Flight NSE 8849 vanished from radar on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The aircraft was traveling from Cúcuta to Ocaña when contact with air traffic control was suddenly lost.
Among those onboard were Colombian lawmaker Diogenes Quintero and congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo, according to Reuters and local reports.
The flight took off shortly before 11:45 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land just 20 minutes later. However, officials say the plane made its last contact with air traffic control at 11:54 a.m. before disappearing entirely.
Hours later, authorities confirmed the aircraft had crashed near Curasica in the northeastern department of Norte de Santander. Emergency crews located the wreckage, but there were no survivors at the site.
Satena Airlines released a statement confirming the crash and shared the names of all 15 victims, which included 13 passengers and two crew members. The airline said it immediately activated emergency protocols and coordinated search efforts with Colombia’s Aerospace Force and civil aviation authorities.
Representatives for Quintero told Reuters they had not heard from him or his assistant since the plane departed.
The crash occurred in a rugged, mountainous area known for difficult terrain and limited access. The region is also home to illegal armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the FARC, complicating search and recovery operations.
Colombia’s Minister of Transport said investigators are now gathering information to determine what caused the sudden loss of communication and the fatal crash. A hotline has also been established for families seeking information.
Satena Airlines said it will continue to release updates through its official channels as the investigation unfolds.
Among those onboard were Colombian lawmaker Diogenes Quintero and congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo…both will be a devastating loss to the U.S. Congress, not that either is actually IN or running for the U.S. Congress…or in the U.S. now or ever.