A Colombian Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130H transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff on March 23 near Puerto Leguizamo, in the country’s southern Amazon region, with authorities still working to confirm casualties and the cause of the accident.
Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez said the aircraft went down while transporting troops from Caucaya airport, a remote facility near the borders with Peru and Ecuador. The Colombian Air Force later said the aircraft was carrying 125 people, including 114 passengers and 11 crew members.
Military sources cited by Reuters said 71 people had been rescued, although earlier official statements mentioned a lower figure. The number of fatalities has not been confirmed.
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Images and videos circulating locally appear to show the aircraft destroyed and engulfed in flames, but their authenticity has not been independently verified.
Wreckage of Colombian Air Force C-130 engulfed in flames. pic.twitter.com/mqFv9RT2ej
— Air Data News (@airwayaviation) March 23, 2026
The crash occurred just seconds after takeoff, with footage indicating the aircraft descended rapidly before impact. The site lies about 3 km from an urban area, in a region characterized by dense जंगल terrain and limited infrastructure.
There are also discrepancies regarding the number of occupants. Local reports cited figures of around 110 people onboard, while official statements indicated 125. If confirmed, this would exceed the typical troop capacity of the C-130H, which is generally listed at up to 92 personnel with combat gear.
Colombia operates a small fleet of aging C-130H aircraft, including second-hand units acquired from the United States and Italy. According to fleet data, the country had six aircraft of the type prior to the accident, with ages ranging from over 40 to more than 50 years.
The C-130H is an older variant of the Hercules family, powered by four turboprop engines and featuring legacy systems compared to newer models such as the C-130J.
President Gustavo Petro said the incident highlights delays in military modernization and called for faster action, adding that accountability would be required if administrative obstacles persist.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, which follows another recent C-130 crash in the region involving the Bolivian Air Force.
