Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LPH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
33283
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, consisting of several touch and goes. On approach, the instructor decided to perform a single engine landing and shot down one engine. For unknown reason, the airplane landed hard on one wheel and bounced. The instructor also noted that another airplane was entering the runway so he decided to make a go around and increased power on the second engine. Few seconds later, while in initial climb, the second engine lost power. The airplane lost speed, stalled and hit the mast of a boat before crashing into the Guanabara Bay. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1953
Operator:
Registration:
2051
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13109
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, a hydraulic failure occurred, forcing the crew to reject takeoff. An emergency braking procedure was attempted but unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and plunged into the bay of Guanabara. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft sank five minutes later.
Probable cause:
Failure of the hydraulic system.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan off Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1953 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
1515
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Guaratinguetá
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed into the Guanabara Bay. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Petrópolis: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1952 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2830
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
A-125
YOM:
1946
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While descending to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located near Petrópolis, north of Rio. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Ubatubamirim: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1951 at 1830 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-YPX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo
MSN:
9154
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport at 1810LT. About twenty minutes later, while flying along the shore, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located in Ubatubamirim. As the aircraft failed to arrive, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found two days later. All 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It appears that the loss of control was caused by an engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in São Paulo: 16 killed

Date & Time: Sep 8, 1951 at 1900 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SPQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
1559
YOM:
1936
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot-in-command encountered problems and lost control of the aircraft that crashed onto several houses located in the Jabaquara neighborhood. On ground, someone decided to light candles in order to get more light when the fuel that flowed to the ground ignited. Few explosions occurred, killing all ten occupants inside the aircraft and six people on the ground.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was caused by a disorientation on part of the pilot-in-command after several instruments failed after liftoff.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Gramacho: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1951 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PP-NAL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vitória – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
42979
YOM:
1946
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew started the approach to Santos Dumont Airport in poor weather conditions. While flying at an insufficient height of 180 feet in low visibility, the aircraft hit a hill and crashed in Gramacho, about 20 km north of Santos Dumont Airfield. A pilot and a passenger were killed while 17 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to complete the approach under visual flight rules while poor weather conditions necessitated an approach under instruments flight rules. Due to low visibility, the aircraft was approaching at the insufficient height of 180 feet while the minimum descent altitude was fixed at 1,200 feet.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LDC
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30443
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A first approach to Santos Dumont Airport was abandoned due to poor weather conditions. A second attempt to land was made with a tailwind and the aircraft landed on a wet runway. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and plunged into the Guanabara Bay. All 38 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who landed on a wet runway with a tailwind component that he failed to take into consideration for the landing procedure. After touchdown, the brake conditions were poor because the runway was wet, which was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of an Avro 691 Lancastrian in Natal: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1947 at 2307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ACS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buenos Aires – Rio de Janeiro – Natal – Dakar – Lisbon – Paris – London
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On touchdown by night at Natal Airport, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway, collided with airport facilities and came to rest in flames. Three crew members and two passengers were killed while 13 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-28-DK in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: May 22, 1947
Operator:
Registration:
PP-AVM
MSN:
15998/32746
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Santos Dumont Airport.