Small Passenger Plane Crashes in Residential Area of Colombia... All Onboard Dead

Frequent Aircraft Accidents Near Medellin Surrounded by the Andes Mountains
Close to the 2016 Chapecoense Football Team Tragedy Site
Colombian Government Investigates Engine Failure and Other Causes

On the 21st (local time), paramedics are managing the accident at the site of a small passenger plane crash in Medellin, Colombia. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] A small passenger plane crashed in a residential area in the mountainous region of Medell?n, Colombia's second-largest city, killing all on board. Aircraft accidents, both large and small, frequently occur near Medell?n, which is surrounded by the Andes Mountains.

According to the Medell?n Disaster Risk Management Department on the 21st (local time), the accident occurred that morning in the Bel?n Rosales area of Medell?n, Antioquia Department, western Colombia.

The passenger plane (Aeropaca Airlines flight HK5121), which took off from Olaya Herrera Airport in Medell?n and was heading toward Pizarro in the western coastal Choc? Department, crashed into a house while passing through the mountainous area near Medell?n. Witnesses reported that black smoke rose from the crash site. All eight people on board, including the captain, first officer, and six passengers, died in the accident. It has not been confirmed whether anyone was inside the house at the time.

Daniel Quintero, mayor of Medell?n, announced the accident on his Twitter, stating, "We are concentrating the capabilities of the local government, including firefighters and paramedics, for recovery efforts." The Olaya Herrera Airport Emergency Response Committee said, "At around 10:14 a.m. on the 21st, the passenger plane sent an emergency distress message," and the accident appears to have occurred shortly thereafter. The airport canceled the takeoff and landing of 12 flights that morning.

The Colombian government authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, including whether there was an engine failure. Previously, on November 28, 2016, a chartered plane operated by LaMia Airlines from Bolivia, carrying 77 people including the Brazilian Chapecoense soccer team players, crashed due to fuel exhaustion in a mountainous area about 50 km from Medell?n city, killing 71 people including players, club officials, and journalists.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.