Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Jaquirana: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VBI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo – Porto Alegre
MSN:
33100
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft left São Paulo-Congonhas Airport at 1123LT bound for Porto Alegre. Some 20 minutes prior to the estimated time of arrival, a fire in cargo hold 'G' was noted. The pilot executed an emergency descent while the mechanics tried, in vain, to extinguish the fire. The flight crew members were not able to see their instruments due to heavy smoke and had to keep their heads out of the window to carry out an emergency landing in hilly terrain. The passengers crowded in panic at the forward end of the cabin in an attempt to escape from the fire. This caused a dangerous and sudden change in the Centre of Gravity of the plane. The aircraft swung violently during the landing on rough ground.
Source: ASN
Probable cause:
The cause of the fire in the Hold 'G' of the airplane was not determined by the investigation board who evidently assumed that several possibilities may have existed such as the ignition of inflammable material contained in cargo or passenger baggage, or through a live cigarette butt falling through an open cargo tie ring hole or open rivet hole in the cabin floor - considered a very remote possibility. The report states that several passengers, possibly students on board brought petroleum jars from Bahia, and some suspicion is expressed related to this incident.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Sao Paulo: 18 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1944 at 2358 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-PBI
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro - Sao Paulo
MSN:
2114
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
On final approach to Congonhas Airport, the crew was disturbed by the poor visibility caused by night and foggy conditions. The twin engine aircraft crashed in a huge explosion few hundred meters short of runway and was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire. All 18 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-10 LodeStar in Pedra Branca: 15 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1942 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-PBG
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Sao Paulo
MSN:
2081
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While approaching Sao Paulo from the north, the crew was informed by ATC that weather conditions at destination were poor. Few minutes later, while cruising at a too low altitude, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located near Pedra Branca. All 15 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-10 LodeStar in São Paulo

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-PBE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
18-2099
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, one of the landing gear collapsed and punctured the wing and a fuel tank. The airplane slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. The twin engine airplane was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage failure during takeoff.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-10 LodeStar near São Paulo: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1941 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-PBD
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Porto Alegre – Florianópolis – Curitiba – São Paulo
MSN:
2083
YOM:
1940
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Porto Alegre and on a schedule service to São Paulo with intermediate stops in Florianópolis and Curitiba, carrying 10 passengers and four crew members. On approach to São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, the crew was forced to initiate a go around procedure for unknown reasons. While circling in clouds for a second approach to land, the airplane deviated from the prescribed route to the south until it impacted the slope of a mountain located in the Cantareira Mountain Range. The wreckage was found 24 km south of the airport. Six occupants were rescued and eight others were killed, among them both pilots.
Crew:
Clovis Roldão de Oliveira Bastos, pilot,
Comet Sipetz, copilot.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.