3 fatalities

Fatal cargo aircraft crash on Mount Picon (CP-969)

Mt Picon, BoliviaFlight

On March 22, 1973, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration CP-969) operated by Air Bolivia was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Picon, Bolivia in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck the slope of Mt Picon during its cargo flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight ended in a fatal accident after an aircraft struck the slope of Mt Picon, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During a scheduled cargo operation, an unidentified aircraft collided with the terrain while flying near Mt Picon. The impact occurred on the mountain's slope, leading to the destruction of the plane. Search efforts located the debris field several hours after the incident took place.

All three crew members on board the aircraft perished in the crash. There were no other occupants reported at the time of the accident.

Findings

Investigation details regarding the specific operational conditions or mechanical status of the plane were not immediately available, though it is confirmed that the impact with the mountainside was the primary event leading to the loss of life.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck the slope of Mt Picon during its cargo flight.