Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-1-CU Commando in São Paulo

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1953 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LDM
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
26397
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Congonhas Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine and received the permission to return for an emergency landing. On final approach in poor weather conditions, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around for unknown reason. Few minutes later, while completing a last turn to join the approach path, the airplane stalled and crashed in an eucalyptus plant located few hundred yards short of runway. All 17 occupants were evacuated, among them few passengers were injured. The captain was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine shortly after takeoff for unknown reason.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Picinguaba

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-AXX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
São Paulo - Picinguaba
MSN:
1599
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane was on its way from São Paulo-Congonhas to Picinguaba, carrying one pilot and nine passengers, among them Adhemar de Barros, politician and chairman of Aerovias (owner of the airplane). While landing in rough seas, the seaplane hit waves and a float was sheared off. The aircraft nosed down and plunged into the water. All ten occupants were rescued while the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Lockheed L-049-46-21 Constellation in São Paulo: 17 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1953 at 2200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-PDA
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo
MSN:
2066
YOM:
1946
Flight number:
PB263
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
The approach to Congonhas Airport was completed by night and poor weather conditions. On final, the aircraft was too low and hit trees before crashing in flames in a wooded area located 6,5 km short of runway 34, in the district of Americanópolis. The airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 17 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew continued the approach below the minimum safe altitude, in breach of the published procedures.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Bom Jesus: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1952 at 1510 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-AXJ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo – Porto Alegre – Buenos Aires
MSN:
6177
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The aircraft left São Paulo-Congonhas Airport at 1145LT bound for Porto Alegre. En route, weather conditions deteriorated and the crew obtained the permission to reduce his altitude to 3,000 feet. While flying in poor visibility due to heavy rain falls, the pilot-in-command did not realize that his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft hit trees. The left wing was sheared off and the aircraft crashed into the forest of Aparados da Serra located about 5 km southeast of Bom Jesus. Four passengers were rescued while 14 other occupants were killed, among them the Argentinian musicians Miguel Cao and Ivo Schwanter.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was caused by a faulty navigation on part of the flying crew who failed to take the appropriate actions to determine his exact en route position and flight course. Low visibility caused by poor weather conditions was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-45-DK in São Paulo: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1952 at 1020 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SPM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
São Paulo – Bauru – Marília – Tupã – Londrina
MSN:
16894/34151
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, while in initial climb, the left engine suffered vibrations. The crew shot down the engine and feathered the propeller before making a turn to fly back to the airport. Shortly later, the right engine suffered technical issues as well and when the pilot lowered the gear, the aircraft lost height, hit obstacles and crashed near a soccer field. Both pilots and two passengers were killed while 18 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. Few hours later, one of the survivors died from his injuries.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine during initial climb due to accessory drive failure. Malfunction or failure of the right engine due to poor maintenance on part of the operator who failed to follow the published procedures from the engine manufacturer. Wrong decision on part of the flying crew who decided to lower the undercarriage, causing the aircraft to stall.

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 Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in São Paulo

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N74176
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
22592
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, the aircraft failed to stop withing the remaining distance, overran and came to rest down an embankment. All three crew members were unhurt while the airplane was damaged beyond repair. It is reported that the crew landed long.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-50-DK in Ribeirão Preto: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1950 at 0910 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SPW
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ribeirão Preto – São Paulo
MSN:
17097/34364
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Ribeirão Preto Airport, en route to São Paulo-Congonhas, the aircraft suffered a left engine failure. The pilot in command reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing and the aircraft crash landed in flames in a wasteland near the airport. A passenger was killed and a second was seriously injured while 18 other occupants were evacuated safely. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It appears that the left engine failed shortly after rotation and that a fuel line ruptured. Fuel leaked in the engine nacelle and caught fire while contacting high temperature engine components.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK in São Paulo

Date & Time: May 26, 1950 at 1600 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SPV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
São Paulo – Ribeirão Preto – São José do Rio Preto
MSN:
14540/25985
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the right engine failed. The pilot in command lost control of the aircraft that veered off runway and collided with an earth bank. The left engine was sheared off and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. All 24 occupants were rescued, among them three were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.