Flight Details
The aircraft was operating a scheduled domestic flight from Caranavi Airport to La Paz with an intermediate stop at Tipuani. It arrived at Tipuani at 0913 hours Bolivian time, carrying a crew of three, a supernumerary crew member, and a passenger for La Paz. At Tipuani, eleven adult passengers and a baby boarded the aircraft. Departure from Tipuani occurred at 0934:36 hours, with an estimated time of arrival at La Paz of 1010 hours.
Last Communication
The last communication with Tipuani control was at 1002 hours, when the aircraft requested permission to change to the frequency of the La Paz aerodrome control zone. When the aircraft did not enter the control zone within the normal five-minute period, an emergency was declared at 1022 hours.
Accident Sequence
At 1048 hours, the Milluni broadcasting station reported that the aircraft had been seen exploding in the air and falling to earth near the cemetery of that mining area. At 1121 hours, the disaster was confirmed by another aircraft, CP-621, which was flying over the area. The accident site was located at coordinates 16° 21' 00" S and 68° 10' 00" W, at an elevation estimated between 14,000 and 14,500 feet.
Damage and Occupants
The aircraft was totally destroyed. All 17 occupants, including crew, supernumerary crew, passengers, and a baby, were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a violent explosion of criminal origin inside and at the rear of the aircraft during flight, which caused the tail unit to be torn off. It was later determined that one of the passengers had signed three life insurance policies with three different companies, valid only in case of a plane crash.