Arava Ecuador Army Crashed and Killed 22 On Board

The Arava, Military Transport Aircraft

A military aircraft with 22 people on board has crashed in the Amazon region of Ecuador. The aircraft lately known as Ecuadoran Army and at that time on a mission.

"There are no survivors. Our embrace of solidarity to the families and the armed forces. It is a tragedy," said President Rafael Correa on Twitter.

Nineteen people on board were traveling to Ecuadorian soldiers parachuting exercise. There were two pilots and a mechanic on board.

The aircraft was Arava manufactured by Israeli Aircraft Industries crashed at 14:30 local time (19:30 GMT) in the eastern province of Pastaza. The aircraft is a military transport type that produced between 1972-1988. Few of them are still using by Ecuadoran Armed Force.

The cause of the accident is unknown and is still under investigation. The aircraft crashed in the eastern province of Pastaza, near the border with Peru.

Defense Minister Ricardo Patino said he was on his way to the scene. The army said the aircraft was carrying soldiers to a master class in parachute when it crashed.