Tourist plane crashes near Peru's Nazca Lines, killing 13 including 7 Italians, 2 Germans, 2 Spaniards
The Cessna 208 Caravan operated by Aerodiana reported an emergency around 1pm local time after departing Pisco airport; there were no survivors.
What happened
A Cessna 208 Caravan operated by Aerodiana departed Pisco airport at 12:10 local time on 1 August with 11 foreign tourists and two crew members for a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines. At around 1:00 pm, the crew reported an emergency to the control tower at Nazca airport, then all radio contact was lost. The aircraft crashed about 6 km from the city of Nazca. International wires placed the site near the settlement of Socos, roughly 19 km from the archaeological site; Peruvian outlets and officials located it in the Pueblo Viejo sector of the Vista Alegre district, about 1.5 km off the Panamericana Sur. The plane caught fire on impact, making immediate rescue impossible.
- Cessna Caravan departs Pisco airport with 11 tourists and 2 crew.
- Crew reports emergency; radio contact lost.
- Aircraft crashes near Socos, ignites; no survivors possible.
- Firefighters and police extinguish blaze, recover four bodies.
- Peru's CIAA and DGAC launch accident investigation.
The transport ministry said the aircraft was a Cessna Grand Caravan C-208 with capacity for 12 passengers. Aerodiana has offered flights over the Nazca Lines for 14 years. On the day before the crash, flights from the nearby María Reiche Airport had been suspended because winds exceeding 40 kph reduced visibility and forced two flights to divert to Marcona Airport.
Victims
Peru's transport ministry confirmed 13 fatalities: seven Italians, two Germans, two Spaniards and the two Peruvian crew members. The tourists were aged 18 to 78. Police Major Jorge Andrade described the scene at the crash site.
Given the severity of the accident, there are no survivors. We have recovered four bodies so far.
Firefighters and municipal police extinguished the blaze and recovered the first bodies wrapped in garbage bags. The ministry said it was coordinating with the foreign ministry so that families are informed through official channels, not the media.
- Italy
- 7 people
- Germany
- 2 people
- Spain
- 2 people
- Crew (Peru)
- 2 people
Investigation and airline response
Peru's civil aviation authority (DGAC) and the Accident Investigation Commission activated protocols and dispatched agents to collect technical evidence. The cause is unknown. Aerodiana stated it would cooperate fully and adjust flight schedules as directed by authorities.
In this time of deep sorrow, we extend our most sincere condolences and solidarity to the families and loved ones of the deceased. We share their pain with respect and are fully willing to provide all necessary support.
Government reaction
President Keiko Fujimori, who took office on 28 July, expressed deep regret. She said the transport minister was conducting the investigation and the foreign ministry was contacting the consulates of the foreign victims.
The Minister of Transport and Communications is carrying out the corresponding investigation and the foreign minister is communicating with the consulates of the foreign citizens who have lost their lives.
The government is evaluating a temporary suspension of operations at Pisco airport, where dozens of small aircraft carry tourists daily.
Safety record
It is at least the fourth fatal accident involving Nazca sightseeing flights since 2010. In February 2022, a Cessna 207 operated by Aerosantos crashed shortly after takeoff from the María Reiche airfield, killing all seven on board: three Dutch and two Chilean tourists, and the Peruvian pilot and co-pilot. In October 2010, four British tourists and two Peruvian pilots died when an AirNasca aircraft went down. A crash in February 2010 killed seven. After the two crashes that year the Peruvian government suspended all Nazca sightseeing flights; following safety inspections, only four of the 14 operators and seven of the 48 aircraft in the fleet were permitted to resume.
