A Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane crashed near La Paz on February 27, 2026, killing 24 people and scattering millions of dollars’ worth of freshly printed banknotes across a nearby highway. The incident led to chaotic scenes as thousands attempted to gather the money while rescue teams searched the wreckage for survivors.
The aircraft veered 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 fence, and careened onto Costanera Avenue—a major road crowded with evening traffic. The plane hit at least 15 vehicles, including private cars, buses, and trucks, before breaking apart, according to authorities. It had been transporting newly printed Bolivian currency not yet in circulation.
General Sergio Lora, the Air Force Commander, said eight crew members were aboard, “including cargo personnel and flight crew.” One crew member was killed, six sustained severe injuries, and one remained missing. The other 23 fatalities were people on the ground, including four children traveling in vehicles crushed during the crash. More than 37 others were injured, most of them passengers on public buses using the roadway when the aircraft burst through.
Witnesses reported hazardous weather conditions at the time. A woman whose car was struck said a strong hailstorm and lightning were occurring as the plane descended. The surviving pilot later told investigators the runway was icy and the brakes failed, according to his lawyer.
The situation rapidly descended into chaos. When bundles of currency spilled from the wrecked cargo hold, an estimated 20,000 people swarmed the area. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds who were reportedly trampling through debris while emergency workers were still searching for victims. More than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers were sent to secure the site.
Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas issued a stern warning to those taking the banknotes, emphasizing the money “has no legal value since it has not been issued by the Central Bank” and that possessing or using the bills is a criminal act. He urged citizens “to respect the mourning and grief we are experiencing at this difficult time.”
Tensions rose when journalists covering the event were attacked. The National Association of Journalists of Bolivia reported that a mobile TV truck was intentionally targeted, while other reporters were pelted with stones and suffered serious injuries. The La Paz Prosecutor’s Office also received reports of businesses being looted by criminals taking advantage of the turmoil, leading to at least a dozen arrests.
Police and military personnel ultimately burned the boxes of cash at the crash scene under the supervision of Central Bank President David Espinoza. The shipment—17 million bills worth 423 million bolivianos (about $62 million)—had arrived in Santa Cruz from abroad and was being transported to La Paz. Authorities estimate that nearly 30 percent of the notes were stolen before the area could be secured.
The aftermath led to major financial confusion around the country. The Central Bank suspended the validity of certain 10, 20, and 50-boliviano notes with serial numbers matching those aboard the aircraft, leaving shopkeepers uncertain about which bills were legitimate. Thousands lined up at banks to exchange their money, and some merchants began refusing all Series B notes, including valid ones.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze that engulfed the aircraft after impact. El Alto International Airport temporarily closed, causing flight disruptions at one of the world’s highest and most challenging airports. Bolivia’s health ministry issued an urgent request 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 escaped death. He told news outlets that she had been in her car when the plane crashed, and a detached aircraft tire struck her head. She was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The cause of the crash is still being examined. A preliminary report noted that the plane had been loaded to its maximum weight and that the delivery company was behind schedule, putting added pressure on the crew. Investigators are searching for the black box and assessing whether the aircraft’s load and the extreme altitude of El Alto (13,325 feet above sea level) played a role in the runway overrun.
The event ranks among Bolivia’s most severe aviation disasters in recent years. The aircraft was a 49-year-old Lockheed C-130H Hercules, tail number FAB-81, built in 1977. El Alto, located near La Paz, presents distinct aviation difficulties due to its high elevation and volatile weather. The thin air reduces lift and engine performance, necessitating specialized pilot training and longer runways to ensure safe operations.
