The Army declared in an official release that Lieutenant Marlon Fernando Suárez González, a member of the Army Aviation, passed away at the Armed Forces No. 1 Specialties Hospital. The fatality occurred earlier today, the statement added.
The officer endured severe trauma in the mishap involving a Cessna 206 aircraft. The incident transpired on December 24, 2021, in Loracachi, Pastaza province (southeastern Ecuador), a region bordering Peru.
The aircraft was initially reported as lost after failing to arrive at its planned destination during a supply run to the Lorocachi outpost.
Military helicopters subsequently discovered the downed aircraft, entangled amongst the dense forest several hours later.
The initial assessment indicated that the two personnel on board—the pilot, an Army officer, and the co-pilot—were recovered alive, though Suárez faced mobility challenges.
Both were transported to a military medical facility in Quito for treatment.
The Army has yet to release an update on the condition of the second crew member.
Ecuadorian Military Aviator Succumbs to Injuries from Amazon Plane Crash
Tragedy struck the Ecuadorian Army this week with the passing of Lieutenant Marlon Fernando Suárez González. The aviator, who sustained severe trauma in a Cessna 206 plane crash on December 24th, 2021, succumbed to his injuries on Friday at the Armed Forces No. 1 Specialties Hospital in Quito.
The crash occurred in Loracachi, Pastaza province, a remote area in southeastern Ecuador bordering Peru. The aircraft, on a supply run to a Lorocachi outpost, was initially reported missing after failing to reach its destination. Military helicopters later located the wreckage deep within the Amazon rainforest.
While both the pilot, Lieutenant Suárez, and the co-pilot were initially recovered alive, Lieutenant Suárez suffered significant mobility issues. Both crew members were transported to Quito for medical treatment. The Ecuadorian Army has yet to release an update on the co-pilot’s condition, leaving the nation awaiting further information on this devastating incident. This accident underscores the inherent risks faced by military personnel operating in challenging terrains, highlighting the dangers of supply missions in remote regions of the Amazon. The investigation into the cause of the crash is likely to be a key focus in the coming days and weeks.