In an aircraft accident that occurred in northeastern Colombia, a Beechcraft 1900D aircraft belonging to SATENA Airlines struck mountainous terrain. All 13 passengers and 2 crew members on board lost their lives in the crash.
Radar contact lost before landing
The Beechcraft 1900D aircraft with registration HK-4709 was operating flight 9R 8895 / NSE 8849 on the Cúcuta (CUC) – Ocaña (OCV) route. According to a statement by SATENA, the aircraft departed at 11:42 and was scheduled to land at around 12:05. After the last contact with air traffic control was established at 11:54, the aircraft disappeared from radar.
As a result of the search and rescue operations that were initiated, the wreckage was located in a short time and it was confirmed that all 13 passengers and 2 crew members on board had lost their lives.
Technical and operational history of the aircraft
Operated by SEARCA and registered as HK-4709, the aircraft was a 31-year-old Beechcraft 1900D. The aircraft, bearing serial number UE-140, made its first flight in February 1995. In the same year, it joined the Mesa Airlines (YV) fleet under the registration N140ZV, wearing US Airways Express livery.
The aircraft was sold to Big Sky Airlines in 2005 and remained in service until the company ceased operations in 2008. The aircraft was later transferred to Colombia and was added to the SATENA fleet in May 2010.
The Beechcraft 1900D model is a regional passenger aircraft with a capacity of 19 passengers, equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67D turboprop engines. A total of 695 units were produced in Wichita, USA, between 1982 and 2002.
About SATENA
SATENA (Servicio Aéreo a Territorios Nacionales) is a regional airline founded in 1962, the majority of which is owned by the Colombian government. Headquartered in Bogotá, the company operates primarily from El Dorado International Airport (BOG).
SATENA focuses on connecting Colombia’s remote and hard-to-reach regions and operates flights to a total of 58 destinations, 56 in Colombia and 2 in Venezuela. The company’s fleet consists of 19 aircraft.
Since 1969, SATENA has experienced at least seven fatal accidents in its history.
While a technical investigation into the accident has been launched by the relevant authorities, it was stated that additional information will be shared with the public through SATENA’s official channels.
