Investigation Summary
Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano Flight 301 was a domestic scheduled flight from La Paz to Cobija. Upon reaching Cobija, the crew encountered severe weather conditions that prevented a landing. The aircraft diverted to its alternate, Riberalta, but weather there was also below minimums. With fuel levels becoming critical, the crew attempted to reach Trinidad. However, the aircraft exhausted its fuel supply approximately 4 kilometers short of the runway at Teniente Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport. The captain executed a forced landing in a marshy clearing, which cushioned the impact and prevented a post-crash fire.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by fuel exhaustion following multiple diversions necessitated by adverse meteorological conditions. The successful outcome is attributed to the pilot's skill in performing a controlled belly landing in soft terrain.
Video Analysis
El Boeing 727 que se APAGÓ en el Aire | Vuelo 301 de Lloyd — Detailed analysis of the Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano Flight 301 emergency landing near Trinidad, Bolivia.
Watch on YouTube ↗If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Fuel System
The aircraft suffered total fuel exhaustion after multiple diversions in poor weather.
Landing Gear
The crew elected to land with gear retracted to prevent the aircraft from flipping in the soft, swampy terrain.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Boeing 727-259, manufactured in 1980.
- 02The landing site was a marshy area known as 'Loma Suárez'.
- 03There were no fatalities, though several passengers sustained minor injuries.
- 04The aircraft was written off due to structural damage from the off-field landing.
- 05The airline, Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano, was facing significant financial difficulties at the time of the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Fuel Planning Review
The accident highlighted the need for more conservative fuel reserves when operating in regions with volatile tropical weather and limited alternate airports.