Satena Beechcraft 1900D plane crash
Ocaña, Colombia
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The Beechcraft 1900D operated by Searca on behalf of Satena had departed from Cúcuta, Colombia, on a scheduled passenger flight to Ocaña, Colombia. There were 13 passengers and 2 crew members on board. As the aircraft was approaching its destination, it struck mountainous terrain near La Playa de Belén, in the Norte de Santander department. All 15 occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
The flight was being conducted under IFR, with a planned altitude of 14,000 ft. After takeoff, the aircraft continued its climb before the crew requested descent toward Ocaña. Air traffic control cleared the aircraft to descend at the crew’s discretion. While the aircraft was still about 15 NM from the airport, the crew reported its position and was instructed to switch to Ocaña’s self-announcement frequency (a self-announcement frequency is used at an uncontrolled airport, where pilots broadcast their position and intentions directly to other aircraft). This was the last recorded communication with air traffic control.
The aircraft continued its descent toward Ocaña until it collided with the terrain. The wreckage was found about 11.5 NM from the airfield, at an altitude of approximately 6,900 ft, in a mountainous area of the Eastern Cordillera. The aircraft initially struck the terrain with the right wing before breaking apart over a distance of approximately 145 metres. Examination of the wreckage indicated a high-energy impact.
Weather conditions included low cloud associated with the terrain, with no convective or thunderstorm activity identified in the vicinity.
The Beechcraft 1900D was registered HK-4709. It was destroyed in the impact.