Two killed in takeoff crash of Piper PA31T1 Cheyenne I in Venezuela

A twin-engine Piper PA31T1 Cheyenne I crashed during takeoff from Paramillo Airport in Táchira state on Wednesday morning, killing two crew members, officials said. The accident occurred at 9:52 a.m. local time as the aircraft, registration YV1443, attempted to depart the aerodrome serving San Cristóbal in western Venezuela.

Video circulating on social media shows the aircraft briefly lifting off before veering sharply to one side, rolling almost upside down and striking the runway nosefirst. The wreckage then caught fire and burned intensely as bystanders fled the scene. Emergency and airport firefighting teams responded immediately, but the blaze severely hindered rescue efforts, aviation authorities said.

The two men killed were identified by local sources as pilot Jose Antonio Bortone Terife, 50, and copilot Juan Maldonado, 47. A company that listed Mr Bortone among its pilots said he had about 30 years of experience and more than 10,000 flight hours. The company issued a statement expressing condolences to the families and describing him as a longtime aviation professional.

The National Institute of Civil Aviation confirmed the fatalities and said the Civil Aviation Accident...