Air traffic control lost communication with the plane at around 12:00 local time (5:00 PM GMT), it was reported. The small plane was scheduled to land at 12:10 a.m. local time at Aguas Claras airport in Ocaña, the second largest populated area in the North Santander department.
The alarm was raised over the small plane, believed to be carrying 19 passengers, after it failed to reach its destination.
The latest location registered by the radar places the aircraft in an area between the municipalities of Hacarí and La Playa de Belén, in the Catatumbo region, El Heraldo reports.
Satena confirmed that the plane took off at 11:42 a.m. and would land at 12:05 p.m., but the last contact with the plane was at 11:54 a.m.
The Accident Investigation Directorate said it is currently gathering information about the loss of communication with the aircraft.
The corresponding protocols have been activated and they have already started up a Power Management Unit (PMU), said Transport Minister Maria Rojas.
According to local media, search efforts are mainly focused on rural and difficult-to-reach areas in the north.
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