Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Vacas: 33 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 20, 1950 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-10
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Vallegrande – Cochabamba
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
In the region of Vacas, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the crew started the descent to Cochabamba when the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 64 km southeast of the Jorge Wilsterman Airport. All 32 occupants (28 soldiers and 4 crew members) and one woman on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
Apparently due to poor weather conditions and lack of visibility, the crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to collide with a mountain that was shrouded in clouds.
