Jetliner reported missing in Venezuela
(CNN) — A plane that was reported missing with 46 people aboard Thursday night has crashed in the Andes Mountains, authorities said.
Witnesses saw the plane go down, according to Antonio Rivero, national director of civil protection.
Emergency crews have launched rescue attempts, he said on a state-run television station, but harsh weather and rough terrain will make their job difficult.
The plane went missing while flying from Merida to the international airport near Caracas, an official said.
The pilot did not check in with controllers 20 minutes into the flight, as scheduled, suggesting that it encountered problems shortly after take-off.
Marquez said the plane is carrying 43 passengers and three crew members. Media reports said the Santa Barbara Airline plane was supposed to land about 7 p.m. (11:30 p.m. GMT). E-mail to a friend
From CNN’s Adrian Criscaut and Guillermo Arduino
