Cessna aircraft crashes on avenue near Cuenca airport

A Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft crashed on a public avenue near the Mariscal La Mar Airport in Cuenca, Ecuador, on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The plane, operated by Cuencana Airlines, was traveling from Guayaquil to Cuenca when it attempted an emergency landing, subsequently veering off the northern end of the runway and falling onto Hurtado de Mendoza Avenue in the Milchichig sector.

The incident caused damage to the front of the aircraft and knocked down a light pole. Emergency services, including the Cuenca Fire Department, National Police, and the Ministry of Public Health, were deployed to the scene. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) reported that the two occupants of the aircraft are in stable condition.

The Banco Central del Ecuador (BCE) confirmed that the aircraft had been contracted to transport valuables. Following the accident, the BCE stated that all transported assets remain intact, secured, and under custody according to established security protocols. Investigations are underway to determine the exact causes of the runway excursion.