What happened
On a scheduled medical transport mission, a PA-31 Panther II departed from Nueva Loja-Lago Agrio Airport at 10:23 local time. The flight was operating as an ambulance service, traveling toward Guayaquil-José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport. On board the aircraft were two pilots, two doctors, one nurse, and a single patient.
As the flight crew began their descent toward the destination, the aircraft went down in the Río Salitre, located approximately 35 km north of Guayaquil. The impact occurred under circumstances that remain undetermined. The wreckage of the plane was completely destroyed during the event.
Findings
All six fatalities occurred during the crash, including the entire crew and all passengers. At this time, the specific reason for the loss of control or the crash itself has not been established.