A private plane carrying Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez crashed in Boyacá department, Colombia, killing all six people on board. The 34-year-old folk music artist was traveling to a scheduled performance in Medellín when the aircraft went down Saturday, January 10, in the area between Paipa and Duitama.
The aircraft, registered as N325FA, crashed moments after takeoff around 4 p.m. local time and burst into flames. Videos reproduced by Colombian media show the plane taking off while shouts of “the runway ran out” can be heard. Later footage shows burning wreckage at the crash site.
Along with Jiménez, the victims included Captain Hernando Torres, Juan Manuel Rodríguez, Óscar Marín, Jefferson Osorio and Weisman Mora. Photographer Óscar Marín had posted a final video before takeoff, capturing the group’s last moments before the fatal journey.
The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the crash in a statement on January 11, 2026. The aircraft was headed to Medellín, where Jiménez was due to perform just hours after the planned arrival.
The Boyacá governor declared mourning in the department following the tragedy. Transportation Minister Fernanda Rojas announced on social media that authorities had begun investigations to determine the causes of the accident. The Accident Investigation Directorate activated protocols for evidence collection at the crash site.
In a haunting revelation that emerged after the crash, Jiménez had previously shared disturbing premonitions about dying in a plane accident. Speaking with Caracol TV, the singer described recurring nightmares that seemed to predict his fate. He told the television station he had dreamt three times about being in a plane crash and needing to tell the pilot to turn around.
The dreams were vivid and specific. Jiménez recounted that in the dreams, when the plane arrived, the pilot would say the aircraft had encountered problems but had been fixed. The most chilling aspect was the third dream, in which he dreamt that they had died and appeared on the news.
The singer’s concerns about air travel were not unfounded. He had experienced a previous emergency landing 10 days before his son was born. During that incident, Jiménez felt the plane rocking during takeoff and described feeling something go wrong as the aircraft lifted off.
The earlier emergency had been serious. Jiménez noted there was no speed, and the aircraft wasn’t climbing properly. His cameraman had spotted water coming from the engine during that frightening episode. The experience clearly left an impression on the performer, making his later dreams all the more unsettling.
Yeison Jiménez had built a significant career as a Colombian folk music artist, becoming one of the most recognized performers in the genre. His music resonated with thousands of fans across Colombia and beyond. The loss of such a prominent cultural figure sent shockwaves through the country’s music community.
Aviation accidents involving small aircraft remain a persistent concern in Colombia’s varied terrain. The country’s mountainous geography and unpredictable weather patterns can create challenging conditions for private planes.
The crash occurred in Boyacá department, a region in the central-eastern part of Colombia known for its mountainous terrain. The department includes areas with varying elevations and weather patterns that can shift rapidly. Paipa and Duitama are cities in this region, with Paipa known for its thermal springs and Duitama serving as an important commercial center.
Small aircraft accidents often involve a complex interplay of factors. Investigators typically examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, weather data from the time of the crash, pilot training and certification, weight and balance calculations, fuel quality and quantity, and any mechanical failures. The moments after takeoff are particularly critical, as the aircraft is in a vulnerable phase of flight with limited altitude to recover from problems.
The voices captured on video suggest potential issues with the takeoff. This could indicate problems with the aircraft’s performance, insufficient runway length for the conditions, or pilot decision-making regarding the takeoff. Authorities have not yet provided details about the specific circumstances that led to the crash.
For the families of the victims and Jiménez’s many fans, the tragedy is compounded by the singer’s earlier premonitions. The fact that he had dreamed multiple times about such an accident and had even survived a previous emergency landing creates a particularly poignant narrative around his death.
The investigation by the Accident Investigation Directorate will likely take months to complete. Investigators will need to examine all physical evidence from the crash site, interview witnesses, review any available recordings or data, and piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragedy. Their findings will be crucial for understanding what went wrong and potentially preventing similar accidents in the future.
