Business jet crashes in northern Peru, killing 9

USPA News - A business jet chartered by a small Peruvian mining company crashed in northern Peru on Wednesday after becoming ensnared in power lines during bad weather, killing all nine passengers and crew on board, local authorities and the company said on Thursday. The accident happened at around 7:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday when the Beechcraft 200 aircraft hit power lines during bad weather and crashed near the town of Pias in Pataz Province, which is part of the La Libertad Region in northwest Peru.

The aircraft was carrying seven passengers and two crew members. "A rescue team immediately responded to the accident but unfortunately they have verified that there are no survivors," gold mining company Retamas SA (MARSA) said in a statement. It said the seven passengers were working for six Peruvian companies, including two who worked for MARSA. The owner of the aircraft, Aero Transporte S.A. (ATSA), said the aircraft had taken off at around 6:25 a.m. local time from Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, the country`s capital. It was heading to the town of Matibamba, located about 5 minutes by plane from the crash site. "Aero Transporte S.A. offers its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this fatal accident and reiterates its commitment to accompany them and provide them with all the support necessary," a spokesperson for the company said.