Scores killed as Colombian military plane crashes on takeoff
At least 69 fatalities reported after Colombian military plane crash during takeoff
A Colombian military transport plane crashed shortly after departing from Caucaya Airport, resulting in at least 69 deaths and 57 injuries, the armed forces confirmed. The incident occurred in the southern region near Puerto Leguízamo, a town in the Putumayo area that shares a border with Peru.
The C-130 Hercules aircraft disintegrated upon impact, igniting flames as it descended. Among the 126 individuals aboard, 113 were soldiers, two were police officers, and eleven comprised the flight crew, according to military officials. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, with Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stating there is no evidence of an attack by criminal groups.
“The crash should never have happened,” remarked Colombian President Gustavo Petro, criticizing the lack of modernization in the armed forces, which he linked to bureaucratic challenges.
A video, verified by CNN, captures the plane’s takeoff and its flight over rural terrain before the crash. The footage places the incident within less than two miles of the airport. On-site images depict intense black smoke and fire emerging from the wreckage.
Indigenous ranger Nicolas Ordoñez, participating in the rescue efforts, informed CNN that multiple survivors were transported to a nearby hospital. Some injured personnel were evacuated to Bogotá for further care. Sánchez expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
Details on the aircraft
The plane, a C-130H Hercules, is an older variant of the C-130 series, first deployed in March 1965, as per Lockheed Martin. It was donated by the US Air Force to the Colombian Air Force in September 2020. Despite its age, the aircraft is known for its capability to operate in remote and challenging conditions.
This incident marks the most recent fatal crash in Colombia’s aviation history. Earlier in January, a similar event occurred near Cúcuta in the northeast, with all 126 passengers perishing just nine minutes after takeoff, including congressman Diógenes Quintero.
This story has been updated. Contributions from CNN’s Stefano Pozzebon, Avery Schmitz, and Ivonne Valdés were instrumental in reporting this incident.
