Bolivian plane crash due to "operational" error

A plane crash in Bolivia earlier this month that killed four United Nations officials were caused by "operational failures" of the crew, the Bolivian Air Forces said Tuesday.

The Cessna Tu-210L light plane crashed on May 5 in the Andean region of Yungas northwest of the capital La Paz, killing all four passengers of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the two Bolivian crew.

"Due to the topographic hills of the terrain, the plane entered Kanamarca sector where the crew was surprised by the hills and when not being able to avoid them it increase the engine power with a maximum angle of decline, causing this accident," said Richard Alvarez, president of the Air Forces' Investigation Board of Accidents.

Alvarez said the plane "reached its operational limit" when trying to overtake an obstacle, losing its uplift before crashing against the trees and falling to the ground where it burst into fire.

The plane had been collecting pictures and videos of the region to learn about the change of soil use and the remains of the plane was not found until two days after it was reported missing.

Alvarez said climate was not a factor in the accident as weather conditions at the time the plane took off had been deemed adquate for the flight. Both the pilot and co-pilot had valid medical permits and enough experience, he added.

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