On January 29, 2026, a Satena Beechcraft 1900D crashed in the mountains of northern Colombia, killing all 15 people on board. Satena, the countryโs stateโrun regional airline, confirmed that the aircraft had suffered a fatal accident, and rescue teams later located the wreckage in a remote, rugged area near Ocaรฑa, close to the Venezuelan border. The aircraft had been operating a scheduled domestic service with an expected arrival time of 12:05 local time, but radio contact was lost 11 minutes before landing, triggering an immediate searchโandโrescue response.
The passenger list included two prominent political figures: Diรณgenes Quintero Amaya, a sitting lawmaker, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the upcoming congressional elections. Their deaths drew national attention as authorities confirmed that there were no survivors. Colombian aviation officials have opened a formal investigation into the cause of the crash, focusing on the aircraftโs final communications, weather conditions in the region, and the challenges posed by the mountainous terrain.
The aircraft involved in the fatal Satena crash on January 29, 2026, was a Beechcraft 1900D registered as HKโ4709. It was operated by SEARCA under a wetโlease agreement with Satena and was destroyed in mountainous terrain near Ocaรฑa, Colombia, with no survivors among the 15 occupants
Message translated to English:
Cรบcuta, January 29, 2026. On Thursday afternoon, Major General รscar Zuluaga Castaรฑo, President of SATENA, and Captain Jorge Campillo, President of SEARCA, met with the families and/or representatives of six of the thirteen passengers and crew members who died in the accident on the CรบcutaโOcaรฑa route. The purpose of the meeting was to personally express their condolences and provide clarity regarding responsibilities and institutional support during this difficult time.
During the meeting, the presidents of SATENA and SEARCA reiterated the profound sorrow this tragedy represents for both companies and for the country. They also explained the operational conditions under which the route was being flown:
- The aircraft involved in the accident was operated by SEARCA on behalf of SATENA, under a contract between the two parties. As the final operator, SEARCA is solely responsible for providing the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance.
- All costs and expenses arising from the accident will be handled in accordance with the legal limits established for this type of liability.
- SATENA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the families of the victims. For claims made under applicable law, SATENA will serve as the channel to present these requests to SEARCA or the appropriate entity.
- All claims related to the air accident will be processed through the institutional email: asistenciasfamiliares@satena.com.
โWe know that pain cannot be mitigated. Thatโs why we are here: to accompany you, to answer your questions, and to ensure you are not alone. SATENA has a moral responsibility to stand by you, and we will fulfill it with the respect and humanity this moment demands,โ said Major General รscar Zuluaga Castaรฑo at the close of the meeting.
SATENA will continue working closely with aviation and judicial authorities, as well as with SEARCA, to ensure that families receive the treatment they deserve and that investigations proceed with the transparency and rigor the country expects.
SATENA The airline of Colombians
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