Cessna Citation Missing in Bolivia Presumed Crashed With Two Dead

Cochabamba, Bolivia — A private Cessna 550 Citation Bravo carrying two pilots has been reported missing over the Bolivian highlands and is presumed to have crashed following erratic flight patterns on Monday.

The aircraft, identified as registration CP-3243, departed from La Paz-El Alto Airport (LPB) at 08:19 local time en route to Santa Cruz-El Trompillo Airport. Air traffic control lost radar contact approximately two hours after departure near 19,375 feet following a high rate of descent. The Bolivian aviation authority, DGAC-AIG, is leading the investigation as rescue teams search for wreckage in mountainous terrain northeast of Cochabamba.

Erratic Flight Behavior

According to data from the Aviation Safety Network, last communication with the crew occurred around 08:50 local time. Subsequent radar tracking showed the aircraft entering a circular pattern at 39,000 feet roughly 20 times before descending rapidly. Local media reports identify the owner as Oscar Mario Justiniano, Minister of Productive Development, though this has not been independently confirmed by officials.

Two individuals on board are believed dead following the impact. This incident marks a significant aviation tragedy for Bolivia in 2026. As of Tuesday morning, no official cause for the crash has been determined and flight recorders have not yet been recovered.

Ongoing Search Operations

The Bolivian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC-AIG) is coordinating the search efforts. Authorities advise that the accident site is located approximately 115 kilometers northeast of Cochabamba. Weather conditions in the high-altitude region are a factor in recovery operations, but no environmental hazards have been confirmed as a contributing cause to date.

The incident occurred during the en route phase of flight. This event adds to a brief list of recent Citation Bravo incidents globally, though no causal link has been established between this crash and previous accidents involving the type.