Concern in Colombia after the disappearance at midday of a plane operated by the state-owned airline Satena, with 15 people on board, which vanished from radar as it was approaching its destination in the department of Norte de Santander, triggering an emergency in one of the country’s most complex and hard-to-access areas.
The news, still developing, caused shock among local communities and prompted the deployment of search forces that continue without clear confirmation of the aircraft’s whereabouts.
UPDATE: Missing Satena Plane Found in Colombia: No Survivors.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 1900 with registration HK-4709, had taken off from Cucuta bound for Aguas Claras Airport in Ocaña on a short regional flight scheduled to conclude around midday. What appeared to be a routine transfer turned into a mystery when, just minutes before its estimated arrival, air traffic controllers lost all communication with the plane.
Emergency protocols were immediately activated, and resources from the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC) and specialized rescue agencies were mobilized, following the silence of the aircraft’s systems in the heart of the Catatumbo region.
The aircraft was carrying Diogenes Quintero, representative to the House for the Partido de la U party, and Carlos Salcedo, candidate for the peace seats.
Fears grow in Colombia over disappearance of Satena plane
Uncertainty began to take shape as the first official details emerged: There were 13 passengers and two crew members on board, for a total of 15 people. Preliminary testimonies and press sources indicated that the last radar contact was recorded when the aircraft was approximately 20 miles (32 km) from the airport, at an altitude of around 7,900 feet (2,400 meters), in a mountainous region between the municipalities of La Playa de Belen and Hacari — an area characterized by challenging topography and dense vegetation.
From the earliest moments after contact was lost, Colombian authorities activated an unprecedented search-and-rescue operation in the region. The Colombian Aerospace Force coordinated aerial sweeps with specialized aircraft, while ground units moved toward the last known points where the plane was detected by radar systems.
The Aeronautical Search and Rescue Group (GRSA) also joined the efforts, working alongside civil aviation authorities and local agencies in an area whose geography slows any ground operation.
Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority and the national government provided limited official information in the first hours, creating an atmosphere of anxiety among the families of the passengers and the Colombian public.
It was learned that the aircraft’s transponder signal cut off abruptly just minutes before its scheduled landing at around 12:10 p.m., according to the flight plan.
There were no reports of extreme weather conditions or emergency maneuvers communicated by the crew before the disappearance, adding further questions to a case that still lacks clear answers.
Comunicado oficial. pic.twitter.com/x6i1RXb4qv
— SATENA la aerolínea de los Colombianos 🇨🇴 (@AerolineaSatena) January 28, 2026
The context of Satena and the challenges of the Catatumbo
Satena, Colombia’s state flag carrier, has as its main mission connecting remote regions of the country with major urban centers. Over the years, it has faced operational challenges inherent to its fleet of small aircraft and routes in areas with complex geographic and climatic conditions.
The Catatumbo region, where the disappearance occurred, is known for its abrupt terrain, mountains, and jungles that complicate both air navigation and ground rescue operations.
The combination of these factors highlights the challenges faced by regional air routes in Colombia, where distances, terrain, and limited infrastructure can turn a flight of just a few minutes into a complex operation, especially when unforeseen events occur.
As the hours pass without a conclusive statement from authorities regarding the fate of the aircraft and its occupants, the Norte de Santander region is experiencing moments of anguish. Search teams continue to fly over and traverse hard-to-reach areas of the Catatumbo, hoping to find signs of the plane, whether in the form of visible debris or communications that can guide rescue efforts.
Families, colleagues, and loved ones of the passengers await official news, clinging to the hope of an outcome different from those that usually mark the country’s most remembered air tragedies. Amid the uncertainty, the nation watches and waits, aware that every minute is vital to pushing through the fog of the unknown and finding answers that today remain elusive.