Nasca Tragedy: the timeline of the flight that led the MTC to suspend Aerodiana operations

The accident of the Aerodiana tourist plane, which occurred last Saturday during a flight over the Nasca Lines, is still under investigation while authorities seek to determine what caused the crash that left 13 people dead, including 11 foreign tourists and two Peruvian crew members.

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As part of the actions taken after the tragedy, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) reported this Sunday that it has preventively suspended the operations of the operating company, a measure that will remain in effect while compliance with aeronautical regulations is verified and technical investigations into the accident progress.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Rafael Rey, reported that the suspension of Aerodiana’s operations follows the procedure established for this type of accident and specified that the sector is also reviewing the authorizations and conditions under which the company provided air transport services.

“This company is a formal company. According to the procedure, its operations are now suspended, but the ministry is reviewing and verifying everything that needs to be considered,” he stated.

He also avoided making premature conclusions about the cause of the accident and stated that the investigations must establish what happened.

“Accidents sometimes occur due to mechanical failures, sometimes due to human errors, and occasionally due to improper actions. All of this is being investigated,” he said.

Through a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) specified that the preventive suspension will remain until the verifications aimed at determining whether the company complied with the provisions, procedures, and conditions established in the current aeronautical regulations are completed.

The Transport Ministry explained that the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) and the Commission for the Investigation of Aviation Accidents (CIAA) conduct parallel investigations, although with different objectives.

While the DGAC verifies compliance with aeronautical regulations by the operating company, the CIAA has the exclusive responsibility to determine the causes and circumstances that led to the accident.

Currently, three Operations and Airworthiness inspectors from the DGAC are conducting technical and documentary verifications in Nasca, while two CIAA investigators are collecting evidence, interviewing those involved, and analyzing records related to the operation of the aircraft.

The MTC indicated that the commission’s specialists will remain in the area for three days and will then transfer all collected information to Lima to carry out the corresponding technical analysis.

As part of the procedures, the CIAA will evaluate the possibility of recovering the storage card installed in the aircraft, a device that could contain information related to its operation and position.

The ministry specified that this type of aircraft does not have a conventional black box, so the information stored on this device will be one of the elements included in the investigations.

Likewise, CORPAC S.A. reported that the ground-to-air communication systems at the Nasca aerodrome operated normally during the emergency and confirmed that there are recordings of communications between the aircraft and the control tower, which will be handed over to the authorities according to established procedures.

So far, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) has stated that it is not possible to draw conclusions about the causes of the accident because the investigation is in an early stage.

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Amid the investigations, President Keiko Fujimori stated that the Executive is evaluating the possibility of temporarily suspending operations at Pisco airport, the terminal from which the crashed aircraft took off. Likewise, the Public Ministry reported that provincial prosecutor Hugo Umiña immediately went to the scene and ordered the removal of the bodies.

However, the MTC later clarified that the airport continues to operate due to its status as an alternate air terminal to Jorge Chávez International Airport.

Minister Rafael Rey reiterated that any additional decision will depend on the results of the ongoing technical investigations.

While aeronautical investigations progress, the Public Ministry continues with procedures to identify the victims.

According to the provincial mayor of Nasca, Jorge Bravo, the bodies were transferred to the Legal Medicine office in Ica, where DNA tests and anthropometric examinations were performed before continuing with the corresponding process.

The authority also indicated that the area where the accident occurred remains secured while specialists carry out the necessary technical investigations to clarify the circumstances of the crash.

El Comercio spoke with aviation law specialist lawyer, Miguel Mena, who explained how investigations and supervision of tourist flights work in Peru.

What does the Commission for the Investigation of Aviation Accidents (CIAA) investigate?

“The Commission for the Investigation of Aviation Accidents establishes the causes and reasons that caused the accident so that it does not happen again, but it does not determine responsibilities. Its specialists analyze technical evidence, communications, weather conditions, aircraft documentation, and interview all persons linked to the operation.”

What is the difference between the CIAA and the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC)?

“The DGAC verifies compliance with aeronautical regulations by the operating company. The CIAA, on the other hand, exclusively investigates the causes and circumstances of the accident.”

What does a company need to obtain an operating permit?

“Every company requires an operating permit valid for four years. To obtain it, it must demonstrate technical, financial, and legal capacity. Technical capacity includes aircraft, airworthiness certificates, safety manuals, and specialized personnel required by regulations.”

How are companies that conduct tourist flights supervised?

“The General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics carries out periodic inspections according to a schedule. It cannot supervise all companies and airports in the country simultaneously, so it conducts scheduled inspections to verify compliance with regulations.”

What checks does an aircraft undergo before takeoff?

“Aircraft periodically enter preventive maintenance programs. Also, before each flight, the pilot and mechanic check the aircraft’s condition, fuel, and main systems to confirm it is in safe operating condition.”

Why did this aircraft not have a conventional black box?

“Smaller capacity aircraft use systems different from those of a Boeing or Airbus. It is normal for them to have simpler storage devices and not a conventional black box; this happens in this type of operation worldwide.”

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