1960 Douglas DC-4 Cochabamba crash explained

Occurrence Type:Accident
Summary:Crashed shortly after take-off
Site:Near Cochabamba, Bolivia
Aircraft Type:Douglas DC-4
Operator:Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano
Tail Number:CP-609
Origin:Jorge Wilstermann International Airport, Cochabamba, Bolivia
Destination:El Alto Airport, La Paz, Bolivia
Occupants:59
Passengers:55
Crew:4
Fatalities:59
Survivors:0

On 5 February 1960, a Douglas DC-4 passenger aircraft of Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano on a domestic flight from Cochabamba to La Paz, Bolivia, crashed shortly after take-off. All 59 people on board were killed.[1] [2]

Incident

Five minutes after taking off from Cochabamba's Jorge Wilstermann Airport, one of the plane's four engines reportedly caught fire.[3] [4] The aircraft subsequently crashed into a lagoon in the Andes, some 20 miles from the city of Cochabamba.[5] [6] [7] It was the worst aviation accident in Bolivia's history at the time.[8] The pilot was one of the airline's most experienced aviators, especially over the mountains of Bolivia.[9] [10]

Passengers

Out of the 59 onboard, one child survived the initial crash, but died due to their injuries while being taken to a hospital by rescuers. Among the passengers were four families.[11]

Aftermath

The airline canceled all flights the day of the crash for mourning. The accident was blamed on a technical defect.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search . 2023-12-23 . news.google.com.
  2. Book: The Evening Independent . The Evening Independent . en.
  3. Web site: ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-4 CP-609 Cochabamba-J Wilsterman Airport (CBB) . 2023-12-23 . aviation-safety.net.
  4. Book: Lewiston Morning Tribune . Lewiston Morning Tribune . en.
  5. Book: The Fort Scott Tribune . The Fort Scott Tribune . en.
  6. News: Vliegramp in Bolivia. Nijmeegsch dagblad. 6 February 1960. Delpher. nl.
  7. News: Vliegtuigongeluk in Brazilië: 59 doden. Leeuwarder Courant. 6 February 1960. Delpher. nl.
  8. Book: Ocala Star-Banner . Ocala Star-Banner . en.
  9. Book: The Southeast Missourian . The Southeast Missourian . en.
  10. News: Zestig doden in Bolivia. Algemeen Dagblad. 6 February 1960. Delpher. nl.
  11. News: Vliegramp in Bolivia: 59 doden. Twentsch dagblad Tubantia. 6 February 1960. Delpher. nl.
  12. News: 1960-02-06 . Twentsch dagblad Tubantia . 2023-12-23.