Tourist Plane Crashes Near Nazca Lines, Killing 13

Overview

• A small sightseeing aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Pisco on Saturday, killing all 13 people on board, including seven Italian tourists, two Germans, two Spaniards and two Peruvian crew members.
• Authorities have recovered bodies at the scene and said DNA testing will be used to confirm identities before repatriation and family notification.
• Investigators from Lima and aviation specialists are examining wreckage at the crash site and collecting flight and maintenance records after the pilot reportedly reported mechanical problems before the loss of contact with air traffic control.
• The Peruvian government ordered the operator AeroDiana to suspend operations while prosecutors and the transport ministry’s accident commission pursue a criminal and technical inquiry.
• The crash revives scrutiny of small aerial tours over the Nazca Lines, where past accidents have raised long-standing safety concerns and could prompt tighter oversight of sightseeing flights.