Peru Suspends Aerodiana Operations Following Fatal Crash Near Nazca Lines
Peru has temporarily suspended the operations of the sightseeing airline Aerodiana after a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashed in the Ica region on Saturday. The accident killed 13 people, including 11 European tourists from Spain, Italy, and Germany, and two Peruvian crew members. The aircraft departed from Pisco Airport to view the famous Nazca Lines archaeological site, but lost contact with the control tower shortly after takeoff. Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Rogers Valencia reported that the crew notified the tower of mechanical problems before the crash occurred near Pueblo Viejo. Authorities are currently investigating the wreckage to determine the exact cause of the accident and assign liability. President Keiko Fujimori stated that the suspension of Pisco Airport operations is being evaluated while the investigation continues. The crash marks another incident in the region, which has seen several other fatal sightseeing flights over the Nazca Lines in recent years.