A Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo plane crashed near La Paz on February 27, 2026, killing 24 people and scattering millions of dollars worth of newly printed banknotes across a highway. The disaster sparked chaotic scenes as thousands of people rushed to collect the cash while rescue workers searched for survivors amid the wreckage.
The military aircraft skidded off the runway at El Alto International Airport around 6:15 p.m. local time after arriving from Santa Cruz. It overshot runway 28, smashed through the airport perimeter, and plowed onto Costanera Avenue—a busy road packed with evening traffic. The plane struck at least 15 vehicles, including private cars, public buses, and cargo trucks, before breaking apart, according to authorities. The aircraft was transporting freshly printed Bolivian currency that had not yet entered circulation.
Air Force Commander General Sergio Lora confirmed eight crew members were aboard the aircraft, “including cargo personnel and flight crew.” Of those, one crew member died while six others survived with serious injuries, and one was missing. The remaining 23 fatalities occurred on the ground, including four children who were passengers in vehicles crushed by the aircraft. More than 37 people were injured, with most casualties coming from public buses that happened to be traveling along the avenue when the plane crashed through.
Witnesses described treacherous weather conditions at the time of the crash. A woman whose car was struck by the wreckage told reporters that a heavy hailstorm was falling and there was lightning when the plane went down. The surviving pilot later told investigators there was ice on the runway and the aircraft’s brakes failed, according to his lawyer.
The disaster rapidly descended into pandemonium. When bundles of banknotes spilled from the ruptured cargo hold, an estimated 20,000 people surged toward the crash site. Police fired tear gas and deployed water cannons to disperse crowds who were allegedly trampling through wreckage where rescue crews were still searching for victims. More than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers were deployed to secure the area.
Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas issued a stern warning to looters, declaring the money “has no legal value since it has not been issued by the Central Bank” and that possessing or using the notes constitutes a crime. He urged residents “to respect the mourning and grief we are experiencing at this difficult time.”
The chaos turned violent when journalists covering the disaster came under attack. The National Association of Journalists of Bolivia reported that a mobile TV unit was directly targeted, while other reporters were attacked with stones, suffering serious injuries. The La Paz Prosecutor’s Office received reports of businesses being looted by criminals exploiting the disorder, and at least a dozen people were arrested.
Police and military personnel ultimately burned the cash boxes at the crash site in the presence of Central Bank President David Espinoza. The shipment—17 million banknotes totaling 423 million bolivianos (approximately $62 million)—had arrived in Santa Cruz from abroad and was being transported to La Paz. Authorities estimate that roughly 30 percent of the bills were stolen before the site could be secured.
The aftermath created widespread financial confusion across Bolivia. The Central Bank suspended the legal tender status of certain 10, 20, and 50-boliviano notes with serial numbers matching those on the plane, leaving merchants uncertain which bills to accept. Thousands of Bolivians lined up at banks to exchange their cash, and some vendors began refusing to accept any Series B banknotes—even legitimate ones.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames that engulfed the aircraft after impact. El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed, disrupting air traffic at one of the world’s highest and most challenging airports. Bolivia’s health ministry issued an urgent appeal for blood donations to help treat the injured, coordinated through the La Paz Regional Reference Blood Bank Hemocenter.
One man described how his sister narrowly survived the disaster. He told news outlets that she was in her car when the plane crashed, and a tire from the aircraft struck her on the head. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. A preliminary technical report revealed the plane was carrying cargo at maximum capacity and that the delivery company was running behind schedule, creating pressure to complete the flight. Investigators are searching for the black box and examining whether the aircraft’s weight, combined with the extreme altitude of El Alto (13,325 feet above sea level), contributed to the runway excursion.
The incident marks one of Bolivia’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years. The aircraft involved was a 49-year-old Lockheed C-130H Hercules, tail number FAB-81, built in 1977. El Alto, situated adjacent to La Paz, presents unique challenges for aviation due to its extreme altitude and often unpredictable weather. The thin air reduces aircraft engine performance and lift, requiring specialized pilot training and longer runways for safe operations.
