Full Breakdown
Fatal Crash Over Peru’s Nazca Lines Claims 13 Lives
8/3/2026, 8:25:33 PM
The Incident
On August 1 a Cessna Caravan C-208 operated by Aerodiana departed Pisco Airport for a sightseeing flight over the UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines. About 50 minutes after take-off, the crew reported an emergency near Socos and radio contact was lost. The aircraft crashed in a field roughly six kilometres from Nazca and about twelve kilometres from the geoglyph site, igniting a fire that prevented rescue. All 13 occupants—11 foreign tourists and two Peruvian crew members—were killed.
Background & Context
The Nazca Lines attract roughly 100,000 visitors annually, most of whom view the designs from small aircraft. Aerodiana has offered such flights for 14 years using Cessna Grand Caravan planes. The crash follows previous fatal incidents over the site, including a 2022 crash that killed seven people and two accidents in 2010 that together claimed ten lives.
Timeline
- 12:10 p.m. (local) – Aerodiana flight takes off from Pisco Airport.
- ?1:00 p.m. – Crew reports an emergency to Nazca airfield control tower.
- Shortly after – Radio contact is lost; the plane crashes near Socos.
- Later on August 1 – Authorities confirm 13 fatalities.
- August 2 – President Keiko Fujimori says a temporary airport suspension is under evaluation.
- August 3 – Aerodiana announces a suspension of its operations pending investigation.
Data & Statistics
- Fatalities: 13 (7 Italians, 2 Spaniards, 2 Germans, pilot Américo Salazar, copilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio).
- Aircraft: Cessna Caravan C-208, registered OB-2001, capacity 12 passengers.
- Flight path: Departed Pisco, intended overflight of Nazca Lines, crash site ? 4 mi (6 km) from Nazca city.
- Weather: Strong winds exceeding 40 km/h had forced the suspension of flights from nearby María Reiche Airport on the preceding Friday.
Official Statements & Responses
President Keiko Fujimori expressed regret and indicated that a “temporary suspension” of Pisco Airport is being considered. Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Rogers Valencia said the crew had indicated mechanical problems before the crash and that the Aviation Accident Investigation Commission is analyzing the emergency call, flight path, and wreckage. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted condolences on X. Aerodiana released a statement affirming its “deepest regret” and pledging full cooperation with authorities.
Why It Matters
The deadliest crash of a tourist flight over the Nazca Lines to date raises scrutiny of safety oversight for small-aircraft operators in Peru’s high-traffic sightseeing market. The incident prompted an immediate suspension of Aerodiana’s flights and a review of airport operations, potentially affecting tourism revenue that relies on aerial tours of the geoglyphs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have information that 11 passengers and two crew members have died,” — Police Major Jorge Andrade
- “At approximately 1 pm, when the aircraft was flying near the town of Socos, the crew reported an emergency to the Nazca airfield control tower, after which all radio contact was lost,” — Peru's Ministry
