The small aircraft lifted slowly from the runway of Paipa airport on a calm morning in Boyaca, carrying Jason Jimenez and his team toward their destination in Antioquia.

What began as a routine departure soon turned into a tragic sequence that ended in flames less than two kilometers from the point of takeoff.

Witness videos, emergency recordings, and early findings from aviation investigators now form the first public reconstruction of one of the most painful air accidents in the region in recent years.

For more than five minutes before departure, the aircraft remained on the ground while the crew conducted engine tests and taxi maneuvers.

Residents living near the airstrip observed the plane as it rolled back and forth across the pavement, performing standard procedures before flight.

Several neighbors recorded the moments with mobile phones, capturing the hum of engines and the anticipation that usually precedes a safe ascent.

Among those observers was Gerson Bernate, who stood along the roadside and filmed the aircraft from close range.

The video shows the plane accelerating along the runway and lifting into the air.

At first glance the takeoff appeared normal.

However, according to witnesses, the aircraft did not gain the altitude expected for a stable climb.

Instead it remained low, barely clearing the surrounding terrain as it continued forward.

Bernate continued following the aircraft with his eyes as it moved away from the airfield.

He later described how the plane began a right turn, a maneuver consistent with its planned route back toward the city of Medellin.

In the next instant, without warning, the aircraft suddenly pitched downward.

The descent was steep and uncontrolled.

Within seconds it disappeared from view, plunging toward the ground.

A short time later, a second video captured a thick gray cloud rising into the sky, accompanied by a loud explosion that echoed across the countryside.

The images showed smoke spreading rapidly above the fields of the rural district known as Romita, located between the municipalities of Paipa and other neighboring areas of Boyaca.

For local residents, the sound and sight left no doubt that an accident had occurred.

The crash site lay inside a working farm, where administrator Maximiliano Panqueva became one of the first civilians to reach the wreckage.

According to his account, the aircraft completed its initial turn and then struck violently.

He described hearing a heavy impact, followed by additional blows.

The plane briefly appeared to regain lift, accelerating and rising again for a moment before falling sharply in a final dive.

Panqueva recorded the first images after the impact.

Flames engulfed what remained of the fuselage, sending dark smoke into the air.

The fire spread quickly across dry vegetation.

The heat was intense and the sound of burning metal filled the area as neighbors rushed toward the scene.

Another video that surfaced on social networks showed images recorded from inside the aircraft during ascent.

The recording revealed part of the planned route toward Marinilla in Antioquia.

Investigators later confirmed that the distance from the Paipa airport to the crash site measured close to two kilometers, a journey that normally would have taken less than two minutes under stable flight conditions.

On the road leading to the rural area, a driver named Mauricio Estupinan encountered the aircraft moments before the crash.

He reported that the plane flew extremely low over his vehicle, forcing him to stop suddenly.

Almost immediately after the first impact sound, flames became visible in the distance.

His testimony supported other accounts that the aircraft never achieved safe altitude.

As confusion spread, residents documented the first arrival of emergency services.

A single fire truck reached the site while farmers and local volunteers attempted to contain the blaze using limited tools.

Uniformed officers worked alongside civilians to secure the area and protect nearby property.

Despite their efforts, the fire consumed most of the wreckage before additional emergency teams arrived.

In the hours that followed, authorities established a security perimeter roughly three kilometers from the impact point.

Even with restricted access, neighbors and farmers remained nearby as a sign of mourning and solidarity.

Many described the vigil as a gesture of respect for the victims and their families.

Religious prayers and quiet gatherings formed along the roadside, reflecting the collective grief of the surrounding communities.

The Directorate for Accident Investigation of Civil Aeronautics assumed responsibility for the technical inquiry.

Specialists arrived with equipment to document the wreckage, measure debris patterns, and analyze the remaining structures.

According to preliminary statements, the condition of the aircraft provided important clues regarding speed, angle of descent, and attitude of flight during the final seconds.

Investigators carefully examined every fragment scattered across the field.

The distribution of pieces, the deformation of metal, and the burn patterns would help reconstruct the sequence of mechanical and aerodynamic events.

Early observations suggested that the aircraft experienced instability shortly after liftoff, but the precise cause remained undetermined.

Aviation experts emphasized that accidents during takeoff often involve a complex interaction of factors.

Engine performance, weight distribution, weather conditions, runway length, pilot response, and mechanical integrity all play critical roles in the first minutes of flight.

In this case, the aircraft had remained on the ground for an extended testing period, which raised questions about whether technicians or crew had detected irregularities before departure.

Meteorological conditions on the morning of the crash appeared favorable.

No severe winds or storms were reported in the immediate area.

Visibility was clear, and temperatures were within normal ranges for the region.

This information suggested that environmental factors alone were unlikely to explain the sudden loss of control.

Attention therefore turned to technical performance.

Witness accounts consistently described a slow climb and insufficient altitude.

Such behavior can occur when an aircraft suffers reduced engine thrust, excessive weight, or aerodynamic drag.

A partial power loss during takeoff may prevent a plane from clearing obstacles and stabilizing its ascent.

Another possible explanation involved flight control malfunction.

If control surfaces fail to respond correctly, pilots may be unable to maintain pitch and roll stability.

The brief moment when the aircraft appeared to regain lift before plunging again could indicate an attempted recovery maneuver that ultimately failed.

Investigators also considered human factors.

The stress of abnormal engine readings or warning indicators during takeoff may lead to delayed or incorrect decisions.

In small aircraft operations, pilots often have only seconds to determine whether to abort takeoff or continue climbing.

Once airborne at low altitude, options become extremely limited.

The flight path itself provided additional clues.

The right turn shortly after liftoff followed standard departure procedures, yet turning while still low can increase aerodynamic load and reduce climb performance.

Combined with any underlying mechanical issue, this maneuver may have contributed to the sudden loss of control.

As forensic teams continued their work, officials cautioned against speculation.

They explained that only a full technical analysis of engines, instruments, fuel systems, and maintenance records could establish responsibility.

The investigation would include laboratory testing of recovered components and review of communication logs and operational documentation.

Beyond the technical questions, the accident left a profound emotional impact on the region.

Jason Jimenez and his team were well known in professional circles, and news of their deaths spread rapidly across Boyaca and Antioquia.

Social networks filled with tributes, photographs, and messages of condolence.

Community leaders organized memorial services to honor the victims.

Local authorities emphasized the importance of supporting affected families.

Psychological assistance teams were deployed to help relatives cope with the sudden loss.

Religious institutions opened their doors for prayer and reflection.

Schools and civic organizations held moments of silence in remembrance.

The tragedy also renewed public discussion about aviation safety in rural regions.

Small airports often operate with limited infrastructure and fewer monitoring systems than major terminals.

Residents called for stronger oversight, improved emergency response capabilities, and more frequent inspections of aircraft used for regional transport.

Civil Aeronautics officials acknowledged these concerns and promised transparency throughout the inquiry.

They stated that once the final report is completed, all findings will be made public.

Recommendations for regulatory changes or safety improvements will follow if systemic issues are identified.

For now, the field in Romita remains marked by scorched earth and scattered debris, a silent reminder of how quickly ordinary journeys can end in catastrophe.

Investigators continue their careful measurements, piece by piece, searching for answers within twisted metal and burned instruments.

The story of this flight, from its cautious preparation on the runway to its violent conclusion in the countryside, illustrates the fragile boundary between routine and disaster in aviation.

While air travel remains among the safest modes of transportation, each accident exposes vulnerabilities that demand attention and reform.

As the investigation proceeds, families wait for clarity, communities seek closure, and authorities confront the responsibility of preventing similar tragedies in the future.

The lessons drawn from this crash will shape training, maintenance, and operational practices across the region.

In the end, the goal of the inquiry extends beyond determining cause.

It seeks to restore confidence, honor the memory of those lost, and strengthen the systems designed to protect every passenger who entrusts their life to the promise of flight.

The skies above Boyaca have since returned to their usual quiet.

Yet for those who witnessed the descent, heard the explosion, or arrived first at the burning wreckage, the memory remains vivid.

Their recordings and testimonies now form part of the official record, ensuring that the final moments of the flight are neither forgotten nor misunderstood.

Until the final conclusions are released, the crash stands as a solemn reminder of how swiftly circumstances can change after liftoff, and how essential vigilance, preparation, and accountability remain in every corner of civil aviation.