Bolivia

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

4294

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Following a wrong approach configuration, the airplane landed too far down the runway 27, about 450 meters past the runway threshold, at an excessive speed of 130 knots. Upon touchdown, the right tire burst. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway and came to rest. While all four occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 707-131F in Santa Cruz: 113 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1976 at 1332 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 707

Operator:

Registration:

N730JP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Santa Cruz - Miami

MSN:

17671

YOM:

1959

Location:

Santa Cruz-El Trompillo

Santa Cruz

Country:

Region:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

113

Circumstances:

After a long takeoff roll, the airplane took off from runway 32 but encountered serious difficulties to gain sufficient height. After liftoff, the airplane continued at a height of about six metres then struck successively trees, houses and power cables before crashing in a huge explosion on a soccer field located about 560 metres past the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and several houses and buildings were destroyed. All three crew members were killed as well as 110 people on the ground. 32 others were injured, most of them seriously. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were considered as marginal but did not contribute to the mishap.

Probable cause:

It was reported that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was unserviceable at the time of the accident while the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) contained only few information as the main cockpit mike was inoperative. Investigators confirmed that the accident was not caused by any engine failure, flight control malfunction or any structural failure. It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a poor flight preparation and wrong takeoff configuration on part of the crew who failed to select the correct takeoff speed. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Crew fatigue,
- Wrong interpretation of the takeoff situation,
- Non interruption of the takeoff procedure.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 near Itaguazurenda: 19 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1976

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Registration:

TAM-76

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Camiri - Itaguazurenda

MSN:

YOM:

1975

Location:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Camiri on a short flight to Itaguazurenda, carrying 18 passengers and a crew of four. En route, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous and wooded area located between localities separated by 50 km. The wreckage was found two days later. Three passengers were injured while 19 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Santa Rosa del Sara

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1022

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Location:

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Circumstances:

After takeoff, while climbing, the single engine airplane collided with two vulture, stalled and crashed in a swampy area. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Collision with birds during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in San Borja: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1976 at 1544 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Frigorifico Maniqui

Registration:

CP-573

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia

MSN:

4682

YOM:

1942

Location:

Beni

Country:

Region:

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, the right engine failed. The crew declared an emergency landing and was cleared to return and to land on runway 18. Following an unstable approach, the airplane failed to land, passed over the runway and eventually crashed in a wooded area located past the runway end. Three passengers were injured while all seven other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine after takeoff for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Convair CV-440-12 Metropolitan in Tomonoco: 67 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1975 at 0645 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

TAM-44

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tomonoco - La Paz

MSN:

328

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After a night takeoff from Tomonoco Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height and struck the slope of Mt Colorado located few km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 67 occupants were killed, among them several Army officers flying back to La Paz with family members.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the aircraft was overloaded at the time of the accident. The departure procedure for Tomonoco Airport is requesting a high climb gradient due to close mountains. The present CV-440 has been modified by the army to carry more passengers than the original certification. As it was heavily loaded, the airplane was unable to adopt a sufficient positive rate of climb after takeoff until it struck the mountain.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Trinidad

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

CP-714

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz

MSN:

22476

YOM:

1945

Location:

Beni

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Airport, while climbing, the crew reported the failure of the right engine and was cleared to return. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in an open field located near the airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while all three crew members escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine after takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Riberalta

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

CP-855

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

26948

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

On touchdown at Riberalta Airport, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane sank on its belly and slid for several meters before coming to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right main gear upon landing for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in San Borja

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Transaéreos Illimani

Registration:

CP-941

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia

MSN:

22446

YOM:

1945

Location:

Beni

Country:

Region: