In brief
On 1 August 2026 a small Cessna Caravan crashed over the Nazca Lines in southern Peru, killing all 13 people aboard. The aircraft was carrying eleven international tourists and two Peruvian pilots. No survivors were found, and investigators have recovered four bodies so far. The flight had departed from Pisco airport and was en route to the archaeological site when the accident occurred. This tragedy follows previous accidents over the same iconic geoglyphs in 2010 and 2022, prompting the airline to review its schedule and authorities to examine safety regulations.
Tragedy struck the Peruvian plateau on 1 August when a Cessna Caravan crashed over the world‑famous Nazca Lines, killing all 13 people on board.
The aircraft, operated by the local airline Aerodiana, was carrying eleven foreign passengers—seven Italians, two Germans and two Spaniards—alongside its two Peruvian pilots. The flight had departed from Pisco airport and was destined for the archaeological site that offers aerial views of the ancient desert geoglyphs.
Firefighters and emergency services arrived quickly; video footage released by Reuters shows crews spraying water on the wreckage as smoke rose. Police Major Jorge Andrade confirmed that no survivors were found, though four bodies have been recovered to date.
Local government officials expressed deep sorrow in a statement posted on the Nasca municipal website. The airline announced it would re‑evaluate its flight schedule in line with authorities’ directives. BBC reporters have reached out to Aerodiana for further comment.
This is the third fatal air incident over the Nazca Lines in less than a decade, following a 2010 crash that killed six and a 2022 accident that claimed seven lives. The region’s unique heritage draws thousands of tourists, many of whom take short‐hike flights to view the vast geoglyphs from above.
Investigations remain ongoing, and authorities are scrutinising weather reports, mechanical records and pilot procedures to determine the cause. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited discussions about the safety of tourist aviation over culturally sensitive sites in Peru.
