Panama’s National Aviation Service reports two crew members deceased after helicopter crash; search for a third continues
Panama’s National Aviation Service, known as Senan, confirmed on Tuesday that two of the three crew members aboard a police helicopter have been found dead. The bodies were located at approximately 2:43 p.m. local time (19:43 GMT). Senan’s director, Eliécer Cárdenas, said the remains of Captain Javier Hinestroza, the pilot, and Major Felix Barrera were identified at the scene by commandos who reached the crash site. The search for the missing crew member, First Corporal Héctor Atencio, was ongoing at the time of the briefing. The director noted that the recovery operation involved specialized personnel and that the bodies were recovered from a forested area near the Caribbean coast, where the helicopter went down the previous Sunday.
According to Senan, the AW-139 helicopter was carrying three Caribbean aid units from outposts when it crashed in the Coclesito mountain range, a rugged and hard-to-access region close to the Caribbean coast, about 170 kilometers north of Panama City. The terrain and weather conditions in this area are known to complicate search-and-rescue efforts, requiring coordinated action from multiple agencies and levels of government. As the incident unfolded, authorities highlighted the challenging geography that can hinder timely responses in remote locations along Panama’s northern coastline.
Senan’s leadership emphasized that the search for the missing Corporal Atencio was a priority and involved a sustained, multi-agency effort. Director Cárdenas stated that a large deployment was mobilized, including 56 public security units and five aircraft, along with support from allied regional partners, including the Southern Command of the United States. The collaboration aimed to accelerate locate-and-rescue operations and to gather critical information about the flight path and potential causes of the crash. While the operation progressed, officials reiterated that the exact reasons behind the aircraft’s disappearance remained under investigation.
Preliminary information indicates that the last contact with the helicopter occurred on Sunday morning as it traveled from Punta Rincón to Santiago de Veraguas, in the Veraguas province, located in the country’s northwest. The wreckage was found on Monday, prompting immediate search-and-recovery actions. At this stage, investigators have not released findings that explain why the helicopter went down, and a formal inquiry is expected to determine contributing factors such as mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human factors. The incident underscores the risks faced by security forces operating in difficult terrain and highlights the ongoing need for rigorous maintenance, mission planning, and rapid-response capabilities for response teams.
As the investigation continues, Senan remains focused on recovering all crew members and ensuring that the families of those involved receive timely support. The organization also reiterated its commitment to transparency, providing updates as confirmed information becomes available. Citizens and officials alike are urged to await official statements from Panama’s security and aviation authorities while authorities review flight logs, maintenance records, and navigational data to build a complete picture of the event. The incident has drawn attention to the demanding nature of counter-narcotics and humanitarian support missions in northern Panama and the critical role of air transport in maintaining security and aid distribution across remote areas.