A sightseeing plane carrying European tourists on a scenic flight over Peru’s world-famous Nazca Lines crashed in southern Peru on Saturday, killing all 13 people on board, authorities confirmed. The accident has prompted a full-scale investigation into one of the country’s deadliest tourism-related aviation disasters in recent years.
The Plane, a Cessna Caravan C-208 operated by Peruvian airline Aerodiana, departed from Pisco Airport shortly after noon for a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the crew reported an emergency before communication with air traffic control was lost. The Plane later crashed in the Socos/Pueblo Viejo area, about six kilometers from the city of Nazca, and burst into flames upon impact, leaving no survivors.
European Tourists Among the Victims
Peru’s Ministry of Transport confirmed that the victims included 11 foreign tourists and two Peruvian crew members. The deceased tourists were:
- Seven Italian nationals aged between 18 and 54
- Two Spanish nationals, both aged 52
- Two German nationals aged 77 and 78
The two crew members of Plane were identified as pilot Américo Salazar and co-pilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio.
Aircraft Operated by Aerodiana
The Plane was operated by Aerodiana, a Peruvian airline that has offered aerial sightseeing tours over the Nazca Lines for approximately 14 years using Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. The company did not issue an official statement immediately after the accident.
Investigation Underway
Peruvian aviation authorities have launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the aircraft’s crash. Investigators are examining several possible factors, including:
- Mechanical failure
- Weather conditions
- Pilot communications
- Aircraft maintenance records
- Flight data and operational procedures
Officials have emphasized that no cause has been confirmed at this stage.
Government Responds
President Keiko Fujimori expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said authorities were considering a temporary suspension of airport operations in the area until preliminary findings from the investigation become available. Emergency teams secured the crash site and began recovery operations shortly after the accident.
About the Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are among Peru’s most iconic archaeological attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Created by the ancient Nazca civilization more than 1,500 years ago, the massive geoglyphs depict animals, plants, and geometric figures spread across the desert landscape. Because of their enormous size, the figures can be fully appreciated only from the air, making sightseeing flights one of the region’s most popular tourist activities. The site attracts around 100,000 visitors annually.
Safety Concerns Renewed
The tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of sightseeing flights operating above the Nazca desert. While such Planes are a major attraction for visitors to Peru, the region has witnessed several aviation accidents involving tourist aircraft over the past two decades, leading to repeated calls for stricter safety oversight and operational reviews.
