BoA B737-8 Collides with Dogs on Runway During Takeoff 

A routine departure from La Paz El Alto International Airport turned into a startling ordeal as a Boeing 737-800 operated by Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) encountered an unexpected obstacle on the runway.

On the fateful night of Tuesday, March 26, 2026, flight OB625 bound for Cochabamba found itself in a collision course with a pack of stray dogs that had somehow breached the airport perimeter.

Eyewitnesses aboard the flight recounted the startling moment when the aircraft braked abruptly upon impact with the dogs, causing passengers to lurch forward in their seats. The collision resulted in damage to the landing gear and other crucial parts of the Boeing 737-800, prompting an emergency evacuation procedure.

Boliviana de Aviación swiftly responded to the incident, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to operational safety and passenger well-being. Following the collision, passengers were evacuated onto the runway and subsequently transferred to the airport terminal for further assistance.

Meanwhile, local media reports suggested that as many as 12 dogs had managed to breach the airport perimeter and find their way onto the runway, highlighting a concerning lapse in security measures. NAABOL (Bolivian Air Navigation and Airports) announced plans to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the operational area to ascertain the circumstances leading to the intrusion of the dogs and implement corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The aftermath of the collision led to significant delays, with the damaged aircraft being towed away for assessment and repairs. A replacement Boeing 737-800, bearing registration CP-3151, eventually reached Cochabamba, albeit with a delay of approximately three hours.

The incident underscored the vulnerability of El Alto airport, situated amidst one of the most densely populated sectors of the La Paz metropolitan area.