The plane was carrying banknotes in local currency equivalent to millions of dollars; report indicates technical failures
The pilot and co-pilot of a Bolivian Air Force C-130 military plane were arrested in Bolivia on suspicion of manslaughter of 20 people after an accident on February 27, 2026 at El Alto Airport, in the La Paz region.
According to information from the agency France-Presseprosecutor Fábio Maldonado stated that the Public Ministry issued the arrest order on Thursday (April 30, 2026) and those under investigation gave testimony on Friday (May 1, 2026).
The plane was carrying 8 crew members and left the runway during landing, hitting civilians.
According to the conclusions of the Air Force investigation commission, the accident could have been avoided. The report cites communication failure with the control tower, crew errors and an electrical storm with rain and hail at the time of landing.
The investigation also indicates that there was instability on the approach, which resulted in a long landing.
At the time, the plane was carrying millions of dollars in local currency, the Bolivian. Pedestrians tried to loot the wreckage to collect valuables shortly after the accident.
According to the newspaper The Dutythe pilots said that those responsible for the control tower at El Alto Airport did not inform them about the actual conditions of the runway, which had accumulated ice.
FAULTS IDENTIFIED
The Air Force commission concluded that there were the following failures in the operation:
- speed – the pilots entered the track at a speed above what was appropriate for the conditions;
- 1st contact – the initial touchdown was performed only with the front landing gear, a maneuver considered irregular for the model;
- late braking – because of this maneuver, the main landing gear brakes were only effective on the last third of the runway. The engine reversal was activated late and was insufficient to stop the plane.
