Errors, bad weather caused deadly Bolivian military plane crash: Probe
A Bolivian military C-130 Hercules cargo plane crashed in February 2026 at El Alto International Airport, killing 22 people, due to a combination of severe weather and human errors by both the crew and air traffic control. The investigation revealed that the aircraft attempted to change course mid-landing due to a thunderstorm and landed on its nose gear, reducing braking effectiveness on a wet runway. The probe found delayed communication from air traffic control, including a failure to relay critical weather and runway conditions, which could have prevented the crash.
- ▪The crash of the Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules occurred at El Alto International Airport in February 2026, resulting in 22 fatalities.
- ▪The aircraft was carrying banknotes from the Central Bank of Bolivia, which were later scattered and subsequently annulled after the crash.
- ▪The pilot landed on the nose gear, limiting brake effectiveness, while the wet runway from storm conditions reduced traction.
- ▪Air traffic control failed to provide timely meteorological and runway condition updates, with the responsible operator being a trainee under supervision.
- ▪The investigative board, led by Colonel Richard Alarcon, concluded the accident was preventable but did not assign individual responsibility.
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Errors, bad weather caused deadly Bolivian military plane crash: ProbeSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxThe investigation found that the aircraft did not receive timely communication from air traffic control and attempted to change course due to bad weather.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished May 01, 2026, 01:00 PMUpdated May 01, 2026, 01:00 PMLA PAZ, Bolivia – A military cargo plane crash in Bolivia that left 22 dead earlier in 2026 was caused by a thunderstorm and errors involving the crew and air traffic control, according to a Bolivian Air Force probe report on April 30.The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane – manufactured by Lockheed Martin – crashed after veering off the runway at El Alto International Airport in February.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.