Zone
La Paz

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in La Paz

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB
Registration:
CP-900
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
30239
YOM:
1944
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, during initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed past the runway end. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. It was engaged in a cargo flight, carrying food supply.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in La Paz

Date & Time: May 4, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-22
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
La Paz - El Jovi
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located 1,500 meters past the runway end. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants were injured.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-30-CU Commando near La Paz: 12 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-60
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
La Paz – San Borja
MSN:
26683
YOM:
1943
Location:
La Paz
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
13 minutes after its takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the airplane crashed into Mt Cunatincuta located few km from the capital city. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas VC-47D in Trinidad

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CP-734
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Trinidad – La Paz
MSN:
17045/34311
YOM:
1945
Location:
Trinidad
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Trinidad Airport, the crew encountered engine problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a wooded area, lost its landing gear, slid for several and came to rest with its right wing partially torn off. Several occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine problems after takeoff.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-DL Flying Fortress in La Paz

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Boliviana de Aviación (1960)
Registration:
CP-640
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
32516
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at La Paz-El Alto Airport. No casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-DL Flying Fortress in La Paz

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Compania Boliviana de Rutas Aéreas
Registration:
CP-767
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
32500
YOM:
1944
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at La Paz-El Alto Airport. No casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-BO Flying Fortress in La Paz

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
CP-580
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9300
YOM:
1943
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing. No casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-DL Flying Fortress in La Paz

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Bolivian Air System
Registration:
CP-762
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
8715
YOM:
1942
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing in unclear circumstances. All three crew members were unhurt.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Milluni: 17 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1964 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CP-639
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Caranavi – Tipuani – La Paz
MSN:
7375
YOM:
1943
Location:
Milluni
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Captain / Total flying hours:
5161
Copilot / Total flying hours:
720
Copilot / Total hours on type:
625
Aircraft flight hours:
17007
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a scheduled domestic flight from Caranavi Airport to La Paz via Tipuani. It arrived at Tipuani at 0913 hours Bolivian time, carrying a crew of three, a supernumerary crew member and a passenger for La Paz. At Tipuani, eleven adult passengers and a baby boarded the aircraft. Departure from Tipuani was at 0934:36 hours and the estimated time of arrival at La Paz was 1010 hours. The last communication with Tipuani control was made at 1002 hours when it requested permission to change to the frequency of the La Paz aerodrome control zone. When the aircraft did not enter the control zone within the normal five-minute time, an emergency was declared at 1022 hours, and at 1048 hours it was learnt from the Milluni broadcasting station that the aircraft had been seen exploding in the air and falling to earth near the cemetery of that mining area. At 1121 hours the disaster was confirmed by another aircraft, CP-621, which was flying over the area. The site of the accident was 16° 21' 00" S and 68° 10' 00" W, at an elevation estimated between 14,000 and 14,500 ft. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 17 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
A violent explosion of criminal origin inside and at the rear of the aircraft during flight, which caused the tail unit to be torn off. It was later determined that one of the passenger signed three life-insurance with three different companies in case of plane crash only.
Final Report:
Subscribe to La Paz-El Alto