The plane, operated by state-owned airline Satena, took off from the Colombian border city of Cucuta and lost contact with air traffic control around noon on 28/1, shortly before its scheduled 23-minute landing in the nearby municipality of Ocana.

On board were two crew members and 13 passengers, including lower house representative Diogenes Quintero and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the upcoming elections.

An official from Colombia's aviation authority stated, "There were no survivors," adding that rescue teams had found 7 bodies. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

The scene of the plane crash in Ocana, Colombia on 28/1. *Photo: Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia*

The Colombian government deployed air force personnel to the scene. The crash site is a rugged area with dense vegetation, located in the eastern part of the Andes mountains, known for its unpredictable weather. Many rural areas surrounding the region are currently controlled by the ELN rebel group.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated, "I deeply regret the loss of life and extend my profound condolences to the victims' families."

Representative Quintero's party described him as "a leader dedicated to his community." He was born in Catatumbo, a region frequently affected by armed group conflicts.

The plane's route before the crash on 28/1. *Graphic: FlightRadar24*

The crashed aircraft was a US-made Beechcraft 1900 model, a twin-turboprop capable of carrying up to 19 passengers. Production of the Beechcraft 1900 series ceased in 2002, with nearly 700 units manufactured.

Colombia's mountainous and densely forested terrain makes ground travel difficult. Consequently, aircraft are frequently used for inter-town travel, serving as an alternative to trains or highways.

Pham Giang (According to AFP)