Cessna 150G CP-815 Accident in Bolivia

Incident Overview and Flight Details On June 13, 2018, a Cessna 150G with registration CP-815 and serial number 15066683 was conducting a local training flight under visual flight rules (VFR). The aircraft, operated by CIAC Alas Beni Flight Training Center, departed from runway 22 at Jorge Wilstermann Airport in Cochabamba at 10:23 local time. The flight plan, filed at 09:32, indicated an estimated departure of 10:00 and a planned climb to 12,000 feet before proceeding to Sacaba. The aircraft was carrying an instructor and a student pilot. During the flight, the aircraft reported normal operations at 10:33 while at 12,000 feet, approximately 25 kilometers from the airport. Shortly after, the aircraft experienced severe vibrations and shaking. The crew struggled to maintain control for about a minute and a half before the engine separated from the airframe. The engine cowling detached and adhered to the windshield, obstructing the view for the student pilot in the left seat. The instructor assumed full control and initiated a forced landing procedure. The instructor selected a clear area near a sparsely used road for the emergency landing. During the final approach, the instructor noticed a public transport vehicle in the flight path. To avoid a collision, the instructor executed a climbing maneuver, passing over the vehicle and lightly contacting its roof with the main landing gear. The aircraft then touched down with the main gear and tail, and the nose gear detached upon touchdown due to the absence of the engine and its mounting supports. The nose gear came to rest 50 meters from the aircraft. The airframe struck the ground, causing the aircraft to overturn. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft unassisted and were transported to Copacabana Clinic for evaluation. The accident occurred at 10:48 local time in the Buena Vista area of Lava Lava, Sacaba District, 18 kilometers from the airport. The engine was later located 5.5 kilometers from the aircraft wreckage in the San Luis sector of Sacaba, 22.5 kilometers from the airport. A witness observed the engine separating from the aircraft during a turn, noting a loud noise and the engine swaying side to side before impact.