Region
South America

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in La Paz

Date & Time: May 4, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-22
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
La Paz - El Jovi
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located 1,500 meters past the runway end. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants were injured.

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 Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Espiritu

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB
Registration:
CP-914
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
249
YOM:
1945
Location:
Espiritu
Santa Cruz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Espiritu. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Fairchild C-82 Packet in Bolivia: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1970 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Operator:
Registration:
CP-677
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saipuru - San Borja
MSN:
10117
YOM:
1945
Location:
Saipuru
Santa Cruz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Saipuru Aerodrome, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located 12 km from the airfield, near the Izeze River. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in San Francisco

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Servicios Aéreos Curtiss
Registration:
TI-1065
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
San Francisco
Potosí
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During initial climb, the left engine lost power. The captain decided to return for a safe landing. While completing a last turn to join the approach path, the left engine exploded and caught fire. As the airplane was losing height, the captain attempted an emergency landing in a field located few km short of runway. Both pilots were quickly evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the left engine exploded and caught fire due to the failure of the carburetor. It is believed that the failure of the left engine and its components may be the consequence of an overloaded aircraft.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Laja

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-11
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Laja
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to La Paz-El Alto, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in Laja, about 18 km west of the airport. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Corani

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos Littoral - TAL
Registration:
CP-800
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
30392
YOM:
1944
Location:
Corani
Cochabamba
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

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.
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