Colombian music star Yeison Jiménez among six killed in tragic plane crash in Paipa, Boyacá

Yeison Jimenez

Colombian music icon Yeison Jiménez, 34, tragically died on January 10, 2026, when a private Piper PA-31 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Juan José Rondón Airport in Paipa, Boyacá Department, Colombia. The charter flight, headed for Medellín, where Jiménez was scheduled to perform later that evening, failed to gain altitude during its departure and crashed into a field near the end of the runway, killing all six people on board.

The six occupants included Jiménez, the pilot Captain Hernando Torres, and four members of his team: Juan Manuel Rodríguez, Óscar Marín, Jefferson Osorio, and Weisman Mora. Video from the scene showed the wreckage engulfed in flames, and emergency responders, including the National Police and fire services, were deployed to the site between Paipa and Duitama.

Jiménez was one of Colombia’s most recognizable voices in regional popular music, known for blending traditional sounds with contemporary appeal and commanding a large national following.

Fans and colleagues expressed shock and grief on social media, and tributes poured in from across the country as news spread of the sudden loss.

Officials, including the Minister of Transport María Fernanda Rojas, confirmed that aviation safety protocols have been activated and an investigation into the crash is underway, with initial indications suggesting that the aircraft did not achieve sufficient lift during takeoff before crashing.

Investigators are examining factors that may have contributed to the failure to climb, including possible technical issues or mechanical malfunctions. The Colombian government and local authorities declared periods of mourning, acknowledging the loss of Jiménez and his team and offering condolences to their families and supporters.