Zone

Crash of a Cessna 550 Citation Bravo near San Gabriel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 2026 at 1057 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-3243
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
La Paz – Santa Cruz
MSN:
550-1132
YOM:
2006
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane departed La Paz-El Alto at 0819LT on a positioning flight to Santa Cruz-El Trompillo Airport with two pilots on board. The last contact with ATC was recorded at 0850LT. About five minutes later, while cruising at FL390, the airplane initiated a turn to the right then completed a 360° circuit that was repeated 20 times until 1055LT. At this time, it entered an uncontrolled descent (the last radar contact was recorded at 19,000 feet) and eventually crashed in a flat attitude in a wooded area located northeast of San Gabriel. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Julio Cesar Sardan Villarroel, pilot,
Carlos Fernando Moyano Aguirre, pilot.
Probable cause:
A possible slow and accidental cabin depressurization which caused the pilots to suffer hypoxia and resulting in a loss of control after the airplane ran out of fuel.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in La Paz: 24 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 2026 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAB-81
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Cruz – La Paz
MSN:
4759
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Santa Cruz-Viru Viru Airport on a flight to La Paz, carrying eight crew members and a load of new banknotes. The approach to La Paz-El Alto was initiated in marginal weather conditions and after landing on runway 28, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and collided with several vehicles on the Costanera Avenue. The airplane was destroyed and among its occupant, one was killed while seven others were injured. On the ground, several cars and trucks were destroyed, 23 people were killed and 37 others were injured, some seriously.

Crash of a Boeing 737-53C in La Paz

Date & Time: Nov 22, 2018 at 1013 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-2041-P
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lima – Cuzco – La Paz
MSN:
24825/1894
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
P9331
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
122
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Lima on a schedule service to La Paz with an intermediate stop in Cuzco, carrying 122 passengers and a crew of five. Following an uneventful flight from Cuzco-Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, the crew completed the approach to La Paz-El Alto Airport. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure when both main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid on its belly for few dozen metres before coming to rest on runway 10. All 127 occupants evacuated safely and no one was injured. It was reported that the touchdown was considered as normal. The airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C in La Paz

Date & Time: Nov 30, 2011 at 1527 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAB-043
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Uyuni - La Paz
MSN:
UA-3
YOM:
1983
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Uyuni-La Joya Andina Airport on a flight to La Paz, carrying four passengers and three crew members. On approach to El Alto Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation. The captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. Upon touchdown, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest 6 km from the airport. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227DC Metro III in La Paz

Date & Time: Feb 27, 2011 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-2473
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Borja - Rurrenabaque
MSN:
DC-842B
YOM:
1993
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Rurrenabaque, following an uneventful flight from San Borja, the crew encountered problems with the landing gear which failed to lock down. As all three green lights were not ON on the cockpit panel, the Captain decided to divert to La Paz-El Alto Airport where rescue teams were alerted. After touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway to the left before coming to rest in a grassy area. All eight occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 727-259 in Trinidad

Date & Time: Feb 1, 2008 at 1035 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-2429
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Paz – Cobija
MSN:
22475/1690
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
151
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from La Paz, the crew started the descent to Cobija Airport when he was informed by ATC that a landing was impossible due to poor weather conditions at destination. The crew decided to divert to the Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Airport which is located about 600 km southeast of Cobija Airport. On final approach to Trinidad Airport, the crew reported technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a dense wooded and marshy area located 4 km short of runway. All 159 occupants were rescued but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion. The crew decided to divert to Trinidad Airport which is located 600 km southeast of Cobija Airport while weather conditions were considered as good at Rio Branco Airport located 160 km northeast of Cobija.

Crash of a Learjet 35A near La Paz: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2006 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-21
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
La Paz – Santa Cruz – Paraná
MSN:
35-115
YOM:
1977
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft was flying back to Paraná (Argentina) with an intermediate stop at Santa Cruz with 3 military personnel and 3 technicians and board. They came in La Paz to deliver humanitarian aids after important flood in Bolivia. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located 20 km from La Paz-El Alto Airport. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It appears that the technicians proceeded with small maintenance on the aircraft prior to departure and that a mechanical failure may occurred after rotation.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan near Colquiri

Date & Time: Jan 21, 2005 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-2412
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
La Paz - Sucre
MSN:
208B-0897
YOM:
2001
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed La Paz-El Alto Airport at 0915LT on a schedule service to Sucre with 10 passengers and two pilots on board. About 45 minutes into the flight, the crew reported icing conditions. The aircraft lost height and crashed on the slope of Mt Huaricollo. All 12 occupants were rescued and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an excessive accumulation of ice/frost while flying in freezing fog conditions.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Viacha

Date & Time: Jul 10, 2001 at 1646 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-2395
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Paz - Rurrenabaque
MSN:
208B-0842
YOM:
2000
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2428
Captain / Total hours on type:
304.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
18340
Copilot / Total hours on type:
18
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed La Paz-El Alto Airport at 1637LT on a regular schedule flight to Rurrenabaque, carrying 11 passengers and two pilots. About six minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 14,500 feet, the engine failed. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest upside down. Both pilots and two passengers were seriously injured while nine other occupants were slightly injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the failure of the engine due to the fracture and separation of all turbine compressor blades due to factors undetermined.
Final Report:

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.