A small passenger plane crashed Wednesday in a rural part of Norte de Santander province in northeast Colombia, killing all 15 people on board, authorities said. Among the dead was Colombian Representative Diógenes Quintero, a member of the Chamber of Representatives, as reported by The New York Post.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 1900 registered as HK4709 and operated by the state-owned airline Satena, departed Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta at 11:42 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning.
It was en route to Ocaña, a town in the region surrounded by mountains.
Doloroso mensaje del equipo del congresista Diógenes Quintero tras su muerte en accidente de avión de Satena en Norte de Santander: ‘Nuestra familia’. https://t.co/vkxogPDmOS pic.twitter.com/upJjUY7rRo
— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) January 29, 2026
According to Satena, the plane lost contact with air traffic control minutes after takeoff.
Local officials in the rural community of Curasica reported the location of the downed aircraft, and rescue teams were dispatched to assess the scene.
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Colombia’s Transportation Ministry later confirmed that “once the aircraft was located on site, authorities regrettably confirmed that there were no survivors.”
The flight was carrying two crew members and 13 passengers. Among the passengers were Representative Diógenes Quintero, 36, and Carlos Salcedo, a social leader running for Congress.
A Satena Airlines Beechcraft 1900D crashed today in Catatumbo, Colombia. All 15 onboard — 13 passengers, 2 crew died, including Congressman Diogenes Quintero and candidate Carlos Salcedo. President Petro offered condolences and vowed an investigation. ✈️ @AirNavRadar pic.twitter.com/Ei4XP90LYg
— Runway Report | Aviation News (@Runway_Report12) January 28, 2026
Quintero served as a representative for the Catatumbo region in Colombia’s lower chamber.
He was elected in 2022 under a peace agreement provision that created 16 special seats in the Chamber of Representatives for victims of the country’s decades-long armed conflict.
His work included advocacy for rural development and the rights of those affected by violence along Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
Quintero’s party, the U Party, issued a statement mourning his death and describing him as “a leader committed to his region, with a firm vocation for service.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on social media: “I am deeply saddened by these deaths. My heartfelt condolences to their families. May they rest in peace.”
Officials have not yet released a cause for the crash. Authorities said a formal investigation will take place.
The mountainous terrain of Norte de Santander province, close to the Venezuelan border, has previously posed challenges for aviation and rescue operations, though specific weather or mechanical factors have not been confirmed.
Satena said the aircraft’s final contact with air traffic control came shortly after takeoff, and that it was unable to determine what caused the sudden loss of communication.
Colombian transportation and civil aviation authorities are involved in coordinating the ongoing investigation.
Plane crash in Colombia kills 15, including politician
The country’s state-run airline Satena confirmed.The official passenger list includes lawmaker Diógenes Quintero Amaya and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in upcoming congressional elections.
A Beechcraft 1900 – “suffered a… pic.twitter.com/FW0SUuFRJ2
— Anjli sharma (@Anjli__queen) January 29, 2026
Recovery teams worked at the crash site on Wednesday after local officials alerted authorities to the downed aircraft. There have been no indications that any of the passengers survived the impact.
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