Scores killed as Colombian military plane crashes on takeoff
Colombian Military Plane Crash Claims 69 Lives, Injures 57
A Colombian military transport plane crashed during takeoff, killing at least 69 individuals and injuring 57. The incident occurred in the southern region of the country, with the C-130 Hercules aircraft disintegrating upon impact and catching fire as it descended near Puerto Leguízamo, a town in the Putumayo area that borders Peru.
Details on the Crew and Passengers
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the crash’s cause remains unclear. He noted that there is no evidence of an attack by criminal groups. The plane was described as airworthy, and the crew was deemed “duly qualified” by military officials. Of the 126 people on board, 113 were soldiers, two were police officers, and 11 were part of the flight team.
Geolocation and Visual Evidence
A CNN geolocated video captures the military plane departing Caucaya Airport and flying over a rural area moments before the crash. The footage suggests the accident occurred within a short distance of the airport, less than two miles away. On-site images revealed dense black smoke and flames erupting from the wreckage.
Survivors and Medical Response
Nicolas Ordoñez, an indigenous ranger aiding rescue efforts in Leguízamo, reported that multiple survivors were transported to a nearby hospital. Some of the injured soldiers were later evacuated to the capital, Bogotá, for further treatment. Sánchez extended condolences to the families of the victims.
Historical Context and Aircraft Background
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the crash “a tragedy that should never have happened,” citing bureaucratic challenges as a barrier to modernizing the armed forces. The aircraft in question was a C-130H Hercules, an older variant of the C-130 series that began service in March 1965. It was donated by the US Air Force to the Colombian Air Force in September 2020.
C-130 cargo planes are known for their versatility in operating under challenging conditions. This incident marks the most recent fatal crash involving Colombian military aviation. Earlier in January, another aircraft crashed near Cúcuta in the northeast, nine minutes after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 126 passengers, including congressman Diógenes Quintero.
