Rurrenabaque | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On approach to Rurrenabaque, following an uneventful flight from San Borja, the crew encountered problems with the landing gear which failed to lock down. As all three green lights were not ON on the cockpit panel, the Captain decided to divert to La Paz-El Alto Airport where rescue teams were alerted. After touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway to the left before coming to rest in a grassy area. All eight occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Viacha

Date & Time: Jul 10, 2001 at 1646 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

Operator:

Registration:

CP-2395

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

La Paz - Rurrenabaque

MSN:

208B-0842

YOM:

2000

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2428

Captain / Total hours on type:

304.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

18340

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Circumstances:

The single engine aircraft departed La Paz-El Alto Airport at 1637LT on a regular schedule flight to Rurrenabaque, carrying 11 passengers and two pilots. About six minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 14,500 feet, the engine failed. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest upside down. Both pilots and two passengers were seriously injured while nine other occupants were slightly injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The probable cause of the accident was the failure of the engine due to the fracture and separation of all turbine compressor blades due to factors undetermined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54S Skymaster in Rurrenabaque: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1984

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1206

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

10559

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Rurrenabaque Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that two engines lost power or failed simultaneously during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Alcoche: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1962 at 0816 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

CP-710

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Caranavi – Rurrenabaque

MSN:

20230

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7692

Captain / Total hours on type:

5500.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

398

Copilot / Total hours on type:

155

Circumstances:

The aircraft was on a non-scheduled domestic flight from Caranavi to Rurrenabaque It took off from Caranavi at 0806/10 hours local time. The aircraft flew for 7 minutes on a true heading of approximately 320°. When it was over Alcoche, 21 km from Caranavi, at an estimated altitude of 3500 - 4000 feet, ground witnesses noticed the left engine ceased functioning and that an increase of power was applied to the other engine. The aircraft was then seen to be flying with the right wing ahead of the left and a few seconds later the aircraft started turning left towards the widest part of the valley in which the aircraft was flying. During the turn the aircraft assumed an almost inverted attitude but it recovered. From the flight path described by witnesses the nose of the aircraft went up twice before going into a 180° change of direction and before crashing into the river. The aircraft struck the surface in a level attitude with a high rate of vertical descent There was no forward movement on impact. The force of impact was so great as to flatten the lower surface of the left wing and the fuselage. The floor of the fuselage was forced to the ceiling.

Probable cause:

The primary cause of the accident was the failure of the left engine and execution of a sharp 180° turn to the left of the original flight path. This was the only possible manoeuvre since the valley ahead narrowed and a turn to the right could not be effected, because the aircraft was close to - and below the altitude of - a mountain on that side. Furthermore, this manoeuvre was the only one permitting the aircraft to reach that part of the river, which appeared most suitable for ditching.

Final Report: