Bolivia | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from San Juan Airport, the crew informed ground that the engine n°4 caught fire and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Following a normal approach, the airplane landed properly but after a course of 950 meters, it went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Fire on engine n°4 during initial climb for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Laja

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1974

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

TAM-30

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

11920

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

While descending to La Paz-El Alto Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the engines and it was decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in a prairie located in Laja, about 18 km west of the airport, slid for few dozen meters and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Engine problems.

Crash of a Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Bolivia: 24 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1974 at 1630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

TAM-52

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Santa Rosa - La Paz

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude between Santa Rosa and La Paz in poor weather conditions, the airplane disappeared from radar screens. The crew was unable to send any distress call. SAR operations were initiated but were eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 24 occupants was found. It is believed the aircraft crashed in an isolated mountainous area following a possible navigation error due to poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Unduavi: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1974

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB

Registration:

CP-990

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

San Borja - La Paz

MSN:

22490

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions on a cargo flight from San Borja to La Paz, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Unduavi. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the airplane was found. The wreckage was located in August 1974. There were no survivors.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Trinidad

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-7

Operator:

Aerolineas Comerciales Nacionales - ALCON

Registration:

CP-1048

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

45453/958

YOM:

1958

Location:

Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz

Beni

Country:

Bolivia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a normal landing at Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Airport, the crew completed a 180 turn followed by a backtrack procedure to join the apron. Doing so, the visibility was reduced by dust which had been raised during the engine reverse operation. The crew failed to realize the aircraft departed the runway to the right when the right wing struck two parked tractors. Fuel tanks were punctured and a fire broke out. The crew immediately stopped the airplane and all 33 occupants evacuated the cabin. There were no injuries but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Santa Ana

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Transaéreos Illimani

Registration:

CP-910

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

33234

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

While descending to Santa Ana Airport, the left engine failed and caught fire. The crew was able to continue the approach, landed safely and stopped the airplane on the runway. While all four occupants evacuated safely, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Engine failure and fire on approach.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Rancho Alegre

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1003

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

En route, an engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a swampy area in Rancho Alegre. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

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

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

CP-801

Flight Type:

Cargo

MSN:

22566

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Bolivia.

Crash of aCurtiss C-46A-15-CU Commando on Mt Picon: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Air Bolivia

Registration:

CP-969

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

26513

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a cargo flight, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Picon. The wreckage was found few hours later and all three crew members have been killed.