No fatalities

1975-06-09: Curtiss C-46 Commando (CP-855) — Frigorifico Santa Rita — Riberalta, Bolivia

Riberalta, BoliviaLanding (descent or approach)

On June 9, 1975, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration CP-855) operated by Frigorifico Santa Rita was involved in an aviation accident near Riberalta, Bolivia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the right main landing gear during touchdown. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781230174Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered CP-855
Aircraft registered CP-855. Photo: Uli Elch / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft experienced a structural failure of its landing gear upon touchdown at Riberalta Airport, resulting in a belly landing and significant airframe damage.

What happened

During the landing phase at Riberalta Airport, the right main gear of the aircraft suffered a sudden collapse immediately following touchdown. This mechanical failure caused the plane to settle onto its undercarriage belly, leading to a sliding motion across the runway surface for several meters before the movement ceased.

Despite the impact and subsequent slide, all three crew members on board were able to evacuate the wreckage without sustaining any injuries. The aircraft itself sustained extensive damage during the incident and was subsequently declared a total loss.

Findings

Official investigations into the accident concluded that the primary factor was the failure of the right main gear at the moment of landing. The specific underlying reason for this structural collapse remains undetermined.

Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gear during touchdown.