Zone

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DL in Caranavi

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1972
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-24
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Paz - San Borja
MSN:
9207
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route on a cargo flight from La Paz to San Borja, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine and was cleared to divert to Caranavi for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both pilots escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical issues on the left engine in flight.

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

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CP-834
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
26902
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Alcoche: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1962 at 0816 LT
Operator:
Registration:
CP-710
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Caranavi – Rurrenabaque
MSN:
20230
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7692
Captain / Total hours on type:
5500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
398
Copilot / Total hours on type:
155
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a non-scheduled domestic flight from Caranavi to Rurrenabaque It took off from Caranavi at 0806/10 hours local time. The aircraft flew for 7 minutes on a true heading of approximately 320°. When it was over Alcoche, 21 km from Caranavi, at an estimated altitude of 3500 - 4000 feet, ground witnesses noticed the left engine ceased functioning and that an increase of power was applied to the other engine. The aircraft was then seen to be flying with the right wing ahead of the left and a few seconds later the aircraft started turning left towards the widest part of the valley in which the aircraft was flying. During the turn the aircraft assumed an almost inverted attitude but it recovered. From the flight path described by witnesses the nose of the aircraft went up twice before going into a 180° change of direction and before crashing into the river. The aircraft struck the surface in a level attitude with a high rate of vertical descent There was no forward movement on impact. The force of impact was so great as to flatten the lower surface of the left wing and the fuselage. The floor of the fuselage was forced to the ceiling.
Probable cause:
The primary cause of the accident was the failure of the left engine and execution of a sharp 180° turn to the left of the original flight path. This was the only possible manoeuvre since the valley ahead narrowed and a turn to the right could not be effected, because the aircraft was close to - and below the altitude of - a mountain on that side. Furthermore, this manoeuvre was the only one permitting the aircraft to reach that part of the river, which appeared most suitable for ditching.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Caranavi: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1962 at 1516 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-541
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
33579
YOM:
1945
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3135
Captain / Total hours on type:
2535.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1969
Circumstances:
At 14:35 Curtiss C-46 CP-541 was boarded. The takeoff had to be postponed due to some problems and associated repair of the propeller governor of no. 2 engine. A preflight engine test was carried out, which was satisfactory. After rolling 190 m during takeoff the plane veered left and then gradually to the right where it rang along the edge. The right wing tip was well outside the boundary of the 26,5 m wide runway. The right main gear went off the runway and into a drainage. At the 496 m point of the takeoff run the right wingtip struck an adobe wall and was detached from the wing. The takeoff run was continued and at the 580 m point the plane became airborne. The no. 2 engine propeller then cut a tree (6in in diameter) located at the 707 m point. The Curtiss continued to be airborne with a right bank increasing to between 65 and 70 degrees. The right wing then struck some trees 15 m in height resulting in the aircraft crashing nose down into the ground. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Pilot error in failing to discontinue takeoff, even after the right wing tip hit the well and broke off, while the aircraft was on the ground during the takeoff run.
Final Report: