Bolivia | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

During the takeoff roll, the crew encountered an unexpected situation. The captain decided to abort the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. Three crew members were killed and two others were seriously injured.

Crash of a Convair CV-440-86 Metropolitan in San Ramón: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Operator:

Registration:

TAM-45

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

406

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from San Ramón Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the airplane veered off runway and collided with a hangar. All occupants escaped uninjured while one person in the hangar was killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine after takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A in La China

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1336

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

44617

YOM:

1955

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Upon landing at La China Airstrip, one of the four engine exploded and caught fire. The crew stopped the aircraft and was able to evacuate the cabin before the airplane would be destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Engine explosion upon landing for undetermined reasons.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Bolivia

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1977

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Registration:

TAM-77

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

MSN:

YOM:

1975

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Crash of a Convair CV-440-11 Metropolitan in Lagura

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Operator:

San Francisco Servicios Aéreos

Registration:

CP-1314

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

363

YOM:

1956

Location:

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Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from San Francisco de Moxos, while cruising at an altitude of 14,500 feet, the right engine failed. The crew increased power on the second engine and was able to maintain altitude for five minutes but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a swampy area located near Lagura. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The total weight of the aircraft was 21,148 kilos at take off, above the MTOW with existing conditions. This probably caused the right engine to failed after being overstrain. The flight engineer had no licence and the passenger was not listed on the manifest.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Espíritu Santo

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB

Registration:

CP-540

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

33594

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft suffered an engine failure in flight and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area. Both pilots were injured and the airplane was written off.

Probable cause:

Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-5-DC Skymaster in San Borja

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1208

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

10651

YOM:

1945

Location:

San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia

Beni

Country:

Bolivia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, one of the left engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway to the left and then collided with a parked DC-3. Both aircraft were destroyed and all seven occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

The cause of the engine failure could not be determined with certainty. However, the reaction of the crew to an emergency situation was inefficient due to a lack of coordination.

Crash of a Martin 404 in Bolivia

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Martin 404

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1317

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

14163

YOM:

1952

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

On final approach, the captain sighted cattle on the first portion of the runway and decided to extend the flare and landed further down the runway. After touchdown on a wet surface, the left main gear struck an irregularity in the terrain. Upon impact, it collapsed and the airplane veered off runway to the left and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Convair CV-440-86 Metropolitan in La China

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Operator:

Registration:

CP-925

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

424

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at La China Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff and to initiate an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, struck several obstacles and came to rest. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was above the MTOW taking into consideration the existing conditions such as outside temperature and runway length.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in La Senda

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Transportes Aéreos Itenez

Registration:

CP-728

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Santa Cruz - Trinidad

MSN:

19689

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Circumstances:

En route from Santa Cruz to Trinidad, the left engine's temperature rised and the propeller was overspeeding. The left propeller was feathered and the crew was cleared to return to Santa Cruz for an emergency landing. Few minutes later, the right engine's temperature also rised. The captain realize he could not make it so he reduced his altitude and completed a belly landing in a pasture located in La Senda. All four occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.