Zone
La Paz

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DL in Caranavi

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-24
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
La Paz - San Borja
MSN:
9207
YOM:
1943
Location:
Caranavi
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route on a cargo flight from La Paz to San Borja, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine and was cleared to divert to Caranavi for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both pilots escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical issues on the left engine in flight.

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 DC-6B on Mt Choquetanga: 74 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1969 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
CP-698
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - La Paz
MSN:
43273/191
YOM:
1951
Location:
Mt Choquetanga
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
69
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
74
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 15,500 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Choquetanga and was totally destroyed upon impact. The wreckage was found three days later in an isolated area. All 74 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed it was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-197D in La Paz: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
XA-FUW
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
La Paz - Mazatlán
MSN:
3260
YOM:
1940
Location:
La Paz-Manuel Márquez de León
Baja California Sur
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from La Paz-Manuel Márquez de León Airport, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a residential area. Three crew members and two people on the ground were killed while 25 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar near La Paz: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Executive Aviation (USA)
Registration:
N2222B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San Diego – La Paz
MSN:
18-2558
YOM:
1943
Location:
La Paz-Manuel Márquez de León
Baja California Sur
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed San Diego Airport on a private flight to La Paz, Baja California del Sur, with eight passengers and two pilots on board. In unknown circumstances, the airplane crashed in an isolated area located few dozen km north of La Paz. The wreckage was found two days later and all 10 occupants were killed, among them people who were interested to buy the aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Tipuani: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-09
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
La Paz – Tipuani
MSN:
9030
YOM:
1943
Location:
Tipuani
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On approach to Tipuani, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the slope of Mt Hayti. The wreckage was found few hours later and all six occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL in San Jose de Chiquitos: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CP-584
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San José de Chiquitos – La Paz
MSN:
19226
YOM:
1943
Location:
San José de Chiquitos
Santa Cruz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Crashed few minutes after takeoff from San José de Chiquitos. The airplane was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Bolivia: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-05
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Borja – La Paz
Location:
Bolivia
All Bolivia
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area while conducting a flight from San Borja to La Paz. The wreckage was not found.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near La Paz: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-04
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tipuani – La Paz
Location:
La Paz
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While approaching La Paz-El Alto Airport in poor weather conditions, the airplane hit the slope of a mountain located few dozen km from the capital city. All 11 occupants were killed.
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