Colombian Air Force C-130 crashes after takeoff in Putumayo with 125 onboard
A Colombian Air Force C-130H Hercules crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo, on March 23, 2026, with 125 people onboard. At least one person was killed, and dozens were injured, while rescue teams continued efforts to account for all occupants.
Colombian Air Force C-130 crashes after takeoff in Putumayo on March 23, 2026. Credit: Open Source Intel
A Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules operated by the Colombian Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo military hub in Putumayo department, southern Colombia, on March 23, with 125 people onboard, including 114 passengers and 11 crew members.
Authorities reported that the aircraft went down within a few kilometers of the airstrip in a remote Amazonian area near the borders with Peru and Ecuador. The accident occurred during the initial climb phase, and emergency response teams were dispatched immediately, supported by local residents assisting in early evacuation efforts.
As of the latest official updates available at the time of writing, at least 77 injured individuals had been transported to medical facilities, while President Gustavo Petro confirmed one fatality.
The status of 43 additional occupants had not yet been determined. Authorities said that casualty figures remain provisional pending a full accounting of those onboard.
The aircraft was operating from a relatively short runway of approximately 1 200 m (3 937 feet), located in a hot and humid tropical environment.
Such conditions are known to influence aircraft performance by reducing air density, which can affect lift generation and engine efficiency during takeoff. However, no causal link between these factors and the accident has been established.
President Petro described the crash as a serious accident and stated that accountability would be pursued if negligence or systemic failures were identified. Defense officials reiterated that both the number of victims and the sequence of events leading to the crash are still being evaluated.
Today’s crash is among the deadliest military aviation incidents in Colombia in recent years. It comes at a moment of heightened operational tempo as the armed forces conduct operations across multiple conflict zones, The Rio Times reports.
References:
1 Colombian Military Plane Crashes With Over 100 Soldiers on Board – Colombia1 – March 23, 2026
2 Military plane with 125 aboard crashes in Colombia. At least 77 injured – AP – March 23, 2026
3 Colombia Military Plane Crash Kills Troops in Putumayo – The Rio Times – March 23, 2026
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