Colombia military plane crash: 66 dead as Lockheed Martin-built C-130 goes down; cause under probe

The death toll from a Colombian military aircraft crash in the southern Putumayo region has risen to 66, with dozens still unaccounted for, officials said.

The Lockheed Martin-built C-130 Hercules transport aircraft was carrying 114 passengers and 11 crew members when it went down shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguizamo, near the Peru border.

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Search continues, many still unaccounted

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the status of more than 40 people on board is still unclear, as rescue teams continue search and recovery operations.

At least 57 people have been reported injured, with several of them flown to Bogota for treatment.

Crash during takeoff, cause unclear

Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez said the aircraft crashed during takeoff, adding that military units reached the site quickly. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

An inquiry team has been sent to the site to determine what led to the accident.

Old aircraft, questions raised

The aircraft involved was a C-130H Hercules, an older variant of the widely used transport plane that first entered service decades ago.

President Petro said the crash “should never have happened”, pointing to delays in modernising the armed forces.

Visuals show steep dive, heavy smoke

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the aircraft going into a steep dive shortly after takeoff, followed by heavy smoke rising from the crash site. These visuals have not been independently verified.

C-130 Colombian crash – more footage of the Aftermath pic.twitter.com/FAiSZurBly

— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) March 23, 2026

Authorities have extended condolences to the families of those killed, as rescue efforts continue in the remote region.