No fatalities

Engine Fire Prompts Emergency Landing and Runway Excursion at San Juan Airport (CP-947)

San Juan, BoliviaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 6, 1974, a Douglas DC-6 (registration CP-947) operated by Aerolineas Comerciales Nacionales - ALCON was involved in an aviation accident near San Juan, Bolivia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fire on engine n°4 during initial climb for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 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

After takeoff, an aircraft experienced an engine fire, returned for an emergency landing, veered off the runway, and sustained damage. All four crew members escaped uninjured.

Incident Description

Shortly after departing from San Juan Airport, the flight crew reported to ground personnel that engine number 4 had caught fire. The aircraft was cleared to return to the airport for an emergency landing.

Emergency Landing and Runway Excursion

The crew executed a normal approach and the aircraft landed properly on the runway. However, after traveling approximately 950 meters down the runway, the aircraft went out of control and veered off the runway to the right. Upon contacting soft ground, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to come to a stop.

Outcome

All four crew members on board evacuated the aircraft and escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage during the event.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was a fire on engine number 4 that occurred during the initial climb. The reason for the fire was undetermined.