A regional passenger aircraft operating for the Colombian airline Satena has disappeared from radar, triggering a major search operation in the country’s north. The plane, carrying 13 passengers and two crew members, lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday.
Flight Path and Last Known Position
The Beechcraft 1900 aircraft, operated by the private company Searca for Satena, was on a scheduled flight from the border city of Cúcuta to Ocaña. According to the airline, contact was lost just minutes before its scheduled 12:05 PM local time landing in Ocaña.
The last radar position placed the aircraft in a zone between the municipalities of Hacarí and La Playa de Belén, in the Catatumbo region near the Venezuelan border, as reported by local media.
Notable Passengers and Official Response
Local media identified two politicians among the passengers: Colombian congressman Diógenes Quintero and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate for the Chamber of Representatives.
In an official statement, Satena confirmed it has activated all safety and search protocols. Colombian Transport Minister María Fernanda Rojas stated on social media that a unified command post has been established to manage the emergency response.
Ongoing Search and Information
The Colombian civil aviation authority has launched search and rescue operations. Satena has set up a dedicated contact center for families seeking information related to the missing flight.
“Any additional information will be communicated without delay by the airline through its official channels,” the company stated, as the search for the missing aircraft continues.
