Crash of a Cessna 340A in Santa Cruz

Date & Time: Oct 28, 2018 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5224J
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Manaus
MSN:
340A-1035
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a humanitarian flight from Bolivia to Brazil, carrying one passenger and a pilot. Shortly after takeoff from a little private airstrip located in the suburb of Santa Cruz, the crew was supposed to land at Santa Cruz-Viru Viru International Airport before continuing to Manaus, Brazil. After takeoff, the pilot encountered engine problems (power issue) and decided to return for an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and belly landed in a grassy area located in Barrio Lindo. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in La Paz: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 2000 at 0950 LT
Operator:
Registration:
FAB-014
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
La Paz - Santa Cruz
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed La Paz-El Alto Airport on a flight to Santa Cruz, carrying two pilots and two technicians. After takeoff, the crew declared an emergency after the right engine failed during initial climb and was cleared to return. On final, the aircraft crashed 500 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Swearingen SA226TC Metro II in La Vertiente: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1997 at 1705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CP-1635
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Vertiente - Santa Cruz
MSN:
TC-359
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 01/19 at La Vertiente Airport, both engines lost power. The aircraft lost height, struck trees and crashed in a field some 300 metres past the runway end. A crew member and nine passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured. The aircraft was completing a charter flight to Santa Cruz-Viru Viru Airport on behalf of Servicios Aéreos Vargas de España (SAVE), carrying employees of the Tesoro Bolivia Petroleum Company based in San Antonio, Texas.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules in Guayaramerín: 24 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1989 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-62
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guayaramerín – Santa Cruz
MSN:
3187
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, of the engine failed. The aircraft lost height and crashed in a dense wooded area. Four occupants were injured while 24 others were killed, among them women and children.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in La Paz: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAB-006
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
La Paz - Santa Cruz
MSN:
LJ-413
YOM:
1969
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, while climbing, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances 14 km from the airport. All seven occupants were killed.

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

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1977
Registration:
CP-728
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Trinidad
MSN:
19689
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Santa Cruz

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1974
Operator:
Registration:
CP-989
Flight Type:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near the Santa Cruz Airport. The occupant's fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 681 near San José de Chiquitos: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 18, 1971
Operator:
Registration:
CP-894
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Puerto Suárez – Santa Cruz
MSN:
681-6015
YOM:
1970
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
En route from Puerto Suárez to Santa Cruz, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near San José de Chiquitos, some 335 km northwest of Puerto Suárez. All eight occupants were killed.

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

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1971 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-926
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Arica
MSN:
43043/83
YOM:
1947
Country:
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.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B on Mt Choquetanga: 74 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1969 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-698
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - La Paz
MSN:
43273/191
YOM:
1951
Country:
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.