A plane crash in Venezuela has claimed two lives and left two others injured after a Piper Cheyenne I aircraft burst into flames shortly after takeoff on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
The tragic incident occurred at Paramillo Airport in Táchira State, with the aircraft crashing within the vicinity of San Cristóbal National Park moments after taking off.
A video circulating on social media shows the plane struggling to gain altitude before tilting sharply, striking one of its wings on the ground, and exploding into a massive fireball. Onlookers can be heard screaming as the aircraft burst into flames upon impact.
According to Mail Online, local authorities identified the deceased as Toni Bortone and Juan Maldonado, while two other passengers survived but sustained serious injuries.
Preliminary findings suggest the pilot may have lost control after one of the plane’s tires reportedly exploded during takeoff.
Emergency responders, including firefighters, Táchira Civil Protection, and the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), arrived at the scene around noon to battle the blaze and rescue the survivors from the wreckage.
Officials said the aircraft was being used for government logistics operations, though details about its specific mission remain under investigation.
The downed aircraft, a Piper Cheyenne I (PA-31T1), is a twin-engine turboprop model manufactured by Piper Aircraft in the late 1970s. The model is widely known for its versatility and reliability in both civilian and government operations.
Aviation authorities have since launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, focusing on potential mechanical failure or maintenance issues.
The latest tragedy comes just a month after another aviation accident in Venezuela, where a Learjet 55 crashed near Simón Bolívar International Airport outside Caracas amid adverse weather conditions. Two passengers were injured in that incident but later reported to be in stable condition.