Investigation Summary
The flight was a non-scheduled charter operated by Aerodiana and chartered by the travel agency Perù A Travel. The aircraft, a 2011-built Cessna Grand Caravan (MSN 208B2313), was performing a popular tourist route to view the Nazca geoglyphs from the air. Weather conditions in the Ica Department had been hazardous leading up to the flight, with Paracas winds exceeding 40 km/h causing significant dust and sand uplift. While Pisco Airport had reopened on July 31, high-altitude winds remained a factor. At 13:01 PET, the flight crew contacted the Nazca control tower to report an emergency involving a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently crashed approximately 6 km from the city of Nazca and 19 km from the archaeological site. A post-impact fire consumed the wreckage, and rescue teams arriving at the scene found no survivors. Peruvian authorities, including the CIAA and DGAC, are leading the investigation with assistance invited from the United States, Italy, Spain, and Germany.
Final Conclusions
The investigation is ongoing. As of August 2026, the Peruvian Commission for the Investigation of Aviation Accidents (CIAA) has not released a final report. Preliminary focus remains on atmospheric conditions and the airline's operational safety protocols. On August 3, 2026, Peruvian aviation authorities suspended Aerodiana's operations pending further safety verifications.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Flight Recorders
Investigators are working to determine if the aircraft was equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, as they are not always mandatory for this class of aircraft in all jurisdictions.
Airframe Integrity
Investigators dismissed social media videos suggesting a mid-air breakup after a physical analysis of the wreckage at the crash site.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan manufactured in 2011.
- 02The 11 passengers included seven Italians, two Germans, and two Spaniards.
- 03The crash occurred approximately 12 km from the Nazca Lines site.
- 04Strong 'Paracas' winds exceeding 40 km/h were reported in the region at the time of the accident.
- 05The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Operational Suspension
On August 3, 2026, Peruvian aviation authorities ordered the immediate suspension of all Aerodiana operations to verify compliance with safety regulations.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Dismissed Mid-air Breakup Footage
Reference ↗Videos circulated by local news outlets purportedly showing the aircraft breaking up in mid-air were analyzed by investigators and dismissed as fake based on wreckage evidence.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the official investigation report.