Country
Bolivia
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Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando near Cochabamba: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1063
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
32959
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cochabamba
Cochabamba
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While descending to Cochabamba-Jorge Wilsterman Airport in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Machu Sayari (4,350 meters high) located few km from the city of Cochabamba. The wreckage was found few days later and all four crew members have been killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to low clouds.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly below the minimum descent altitude.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando near San Ignacio de Moxos: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1052
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Trinidad - Oruro
MSN:
30195
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Ignacio de Moxos
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route from Trinidad to Oruro, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with turbulences when control was lost. The airplane crashed on the slope of a mountain located in the region of San Ignacio de Moxos. The wreckage was found two days later and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the ropes securing the cargo failed while the aircraft was subject to atmospheric turbulences, causing the CofG to be modified and the cargo to shift. In such conditions, the airplane became uncontrollable.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Trinidad: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1972 at 1757 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-959
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26903
YOM:
1944
Location:
Trinidad
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After a run of 1,200 meters on runway 31, the pilot-in-command completed the rotation. During initial climb, while at a height of 20 meters, the airplane banked left then stalled and struck the runway surface. Out of control, it veered off runway lost its undercarriage then went through a fence and collided with trees. All six passengers were injured while both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb caused by the failure of the left engine.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B near Putre: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1971 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
CP-926
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Arica
MSN:
43043/83
YOM:
1947
Location:
Putre
Región de Arica y Parinacota
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane was completing a cargo flight from Santa Cruz to Arica, Chile. While cruising at an altitude of 18,000 feet under VFR mode, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the slope of Mt Nevados de Putre located 12 km northeast of Putre. The wreckage was found few hours later. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions. Controlled flight into terrain.
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