No fatalities

Float plane crash in Bolivia due to weather deterioration (El Marihui)

Colquiri, BoliviaFlight

On September 27, 1935, a Sikorsky S-38 (registration El Marihui) operated by Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Colquiri, Bolivia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Deteriorating weather conditions during the approach phase led to a controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A float plane named 'El Marihui' crashed into a mountain slope near Colquiri, Bolivia, after encountering severe weather while en route from Trinidad. Both pilots were injured during the incident.

What happened

The aircraft was operating an en route flight from Trinidad to Todos Santos when the crew encountered operational issues. As a result, they executed an emergency landing at Aguas Negras, located near the Rio Sécure in the State of Beni. The float plane came to rest in a muddy field following this initial stop. Both pilots subsequently obtained assistance and managed to depart the site.

During the subsequent leg of the journey while approaching Colquiri, weather conditions deteriorated significantly. This led to the aircraft striking a mountain slope, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe. Both members of the flight crew sustained injuries in the impact, with one pilot suffering more serious harm than the other.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific technical findings or a formal investigation report regarding the mechanical condition of the aircraft prior to the crash. The incident is attributed to the deterioration of weather conditions during the approach phase. The aircraft did not possess an official registration number but was identified by the name 'El Marihui'.

Probable cause

Deteriorating weather conditions during the approach phase led to a controlled flight into terrain.