No fatalities

Engine Failure During Takeoff Leads to Collision with Parked Aircraft (CP-1208)

San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia, BoliviaTakeoff (climb)

On January 26, 1977, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration CP-1208) operated by Frigorifico Reyes (FRI REYES) was involved in an aviation accident near San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia, Bolivia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the engine failure could not be determined with certainty. However, the reaction of the crew to an emergency situation was inefficient due to a lack of coordination. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

During takeoff, a left engine failed, causing loss of control. The aircraft veered left off the runway and struck a parked DC-3, destroying both and injuring all seven occupants.

Event Details

The accident occurred during the takeoff roll. The aircraft was accelerating when a failure occurred in one of the left engines. This led to a loss of control by the flight crew. The airplane veered off the runway to the left. It then collided with a parked Douglas DC-3 aircraft.

Damage and Injuries

The collision resulted in the destruction of both aircraft. All seven occupants of the departing aircraft sustained injuries.

Probable Cause

The official investigation into the accident was unable to determine with certainty the cause of the engine failure. However, it was found that the crew's response to the emergency was inefficient, attributed to a lack of coordination.