A small private aircraft crashed shortly after take-off near the town of Paipa in Colombia’s Boyacá department on Saturday, killing six people, including acclaimed Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez. The aircraft went down in a field close to the end of the runway, according to emergency officials, who confirmed that all passengers and crew on board died at the scene.

Local media reported that Jiménez, 34, had been travelling with members of his team after performing in Boyacá and was en route to Medellín for another scheduled show when the crash occurred.

Crash shortly after take-off

Authorities said the chartered aircraft, identified as having registration N325FA, departed from the Juan José Rondón aerodrome in Paipa and crashed at approximately 3 pm. Early indications suggest the plane struggled to gain altitude before coming down at the far end of the runway. A video circulating online showed the aircraft taxiing moments before the incident.

The Civil Aviation Authority stated, “In the afternoon today, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the crash of an aircraft with registration N325FA was confirmed in the vicinity of the Juan Jose Rondon aerodrome, in the area between the municipalities of Paipa and Duitama, in Boyaca. Sadly, after emergency responders and the National Police arrived at the crash site, the deaths of all six (6) occupants of the aircraft were confirmed. Among the victims was the well-known popular music artist Yeison Jimenez.”

The aircraft was engulfed in flames following impact, leaving it completely destroyed.

Victims identified

Officials and media outlets reported that six people were on board, including the singer and the pilot. The other victims, understood to be part of Jiménez’s touring team, were identified as:

  • Capitán Hernando Torres
  • Juan Manuel Rodríguez
  • Oscar Marín
  • Jefferson Osorio
  • Weisman Mora

Jiménez’s press office also confirmed his death to Billboard Español.

A rising star of Colombian “Música Popular”

Born on 26 July 1991 in Manzanares, Caldas, Jiménez rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in Colombia’s “música popular,” a genre blending Mexican ranchera traditions with Colombian folk elements. He began writing songs as a teenager while working in wholesale markets and released his debut album, ‘Con el Corazón – Volumen 1’, in 2013.

His hit ‘Aventurero’ has amassed more than 350 million YouTube views, cementing his status as one of the genre’s defining voices. Alongside his musical achievements, he appeared on television as a judge on music competition programmes.

In 2024, he reached a career milestone by selling out Bogotá’s Movistar Arena three times, drawing over 40,000 spectators—a first for a Colombian popular music artist. He also fulfilled a long-held ambition by selling out Bogotá’s El Campín Stadium, with a second concert scheduled for March this year.

Cultural legacy and tributes

Jiménez’s work paid homage to the heritage of “música popular,” a style rooted in Colombia’s coffee-growing region and developed by pioneers such as Darío Gómez, Luis Alberto Posada and El Charrito Negro. He frequently credited Gómez as a crucial influence on his artistic vision.

Tributes poured in after news of the crash. Music Trends Colombia wrote, “We regret to announce the passing of popular music singer Yeison Jiménez. According to EL TIEMPO, a charter flight taking off this afternoon from Paipa airport failed to gain altitude and ended up incinerated in a field very close to the end of the runway. Along with him, 5 other people who were part of his music group would have also died. Rest in peace and much strength to his family, friends, and fans in this difficult moment.”

Jiménez is survived by his wife and three children.