10 fatalities

Aviation Accident at La Vertiente Airport (CP-1635)

La Vertiente, BoliviaTakeoff (climb)

On December 12, 1997, a Swearingen SA226 Metro II (registration CP-1635) operated by Servicios y Transportes Aéreos Petroleros - STAP was involved in an aviation accident near La Vertiente, Bolivia during takeoff. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A charter aircraft lost both engines after takeoff from La Vertiente Airport, crashed into trees and a field, killing 10 people and injuring 9 others.

Incident Overview Following takeoff from runway 01/19 at La Vertiente Airport, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of power in both engines. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, struck trees, and crashed in a field approximately 300 meters beyond the runway end. The accident resulted in the deaths of one crew member and nine passengers, while nine other occupants sustained injuries. ## Operational Context At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operating a charter flight to Santa Cruz-Viru Viru Airport on behalf of Servicios Aéreos Vargas de España (SAVE). The passengers were employees of the Tesoro Bolivia Petroleum Company, which is based in San Antonio, Texas. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.