Investigation Summary
On February 27, 2026, FAB-81 (MSN 4759) was conducting a domestic transport mission carrying unissued currency from Santa Cruz to La Paz. The flight was part of a subcontracted operation by Transportes Aéreos Bolivianos (TAB) to move a total shipment of 88.3 tons of banknotes originally flown into Bolivia by a National Airlines 747. Upon landing at El Alto International Airport at approximately 18:15 local time, the aircraft, carrying a full payload of 19.2 tons, failed to stop on the runway. It veered off, breached the airport's western perimeter fence, and entered Costanera Avenue. The Hercules impacted 15 vehicles, including public transport and emergency vehicles, before breaking apart. The crash site was immediately swarmed by bystanders attempting to collect the scattered banknotes, which led to clashes with law enforcement and hindered rescue operations. Authorities eventually secured the site and incinerated the remaining banknotes to prevent them from entering circulation, as they had not yet been officially issued. The investigation has focused on the extreme density altitude of the airport and the aircraft's weight, with preliminary technical reports suggesting the flight was operating under significant pressure due to delivery schedule delays and a demanding 6-leg rotation for the crew.
Final Conclusions
The investigation is currently being conducted by the Aeronautical Accident Investigation Board (AAIB). Following the accident, the AAIB initiated a search for the flight recorders and moved the aircraft wreckage to a secure facility for detailed analysis. A preliminary technical report noted that the aircraft was at maximum load capacity and that the thin air at 13,000 feet elevation, coupled with a hailstorm that reduced visibility and runway friction, created conditions where the required landing distance exceeded the available runway. The investigation continues to examine the operational decision-making process that authorized the flight under these specific weight and weather parameters.
Video Analysis
Bolivia launches investigation after Air Force plane C-130 crash — On February 27, 2026, a Bolivian Air Force Hercules aircraft carrying newly issued banknotes crashed onto a busy avenue in El Alto.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Braking and Reverse Thrust
The C-130H uses mechanical brakes and reversible-pitch propellers to decelerate; however, thin air at high altitudes reduces the effectiveness of aerodynamic braking and engine performance.
Flight Data Recorder
The 'black box' was recovered by the AAIB to analyze flight parameters and determine why the aircraft could not stop within the runway distance.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a 1977-built Lockheed C-130H Hercules, MSN 4759.
- 02The aircraft previously operated under registrations CP-1276 and TAM-91.
- 03The total fatalities were 24, including 1 crew member and 23 individuals on the ground (including four children).
- 04The aircraft was carrying a full payload of 19.2 tons of banknotes at the time of the crash.
- 05The crash site involved the destruction of 15 vehicles, including three ambulances and one police vehicle.
- 06El Alto International Airport is situated at an elevation of 4,061 meters (approximately 13,323 feet).
- 07The Central Bank of Bolivia suspended the legal tender status of specific B-series banknotes following the crash.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Banknote Invalidation
The Central Bank of Bolivia published serial numbers of the transported notes and declared them worthless to prevent looters from using them.
Airport Security Reinforcement
Law enforcement and military personnel were deployed to secure the airport perimeter after bystanders breached the fence to access the wreckage.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Operational Pressure and Overloading
Reference ↗A technical report alleged the aircraft was physically incapable of landing safely at El Alto's altitude with its current load, raising questions about why the flight was approved despite the weight and weather conditions.