Region
South America

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1953 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
2837
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
São Francisco – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
A-409
Location:
Rio de Janeiro-Galeão
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport on a mail flight from São Francisco on behalf of the Correio Aéreo Nacional, the crew encountered technical problems with the undercarriage that failed to deploy. He turn for about an hour over Rio de Janeiro and eventually performed a belly landing. The aircraft slid for dozen yards before coming to rest. All three occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage failed to deploy.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Picinguaba

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
PT-AXX
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
São Paulo - Picinguaba
MSN:
1599
Location:
Picinguaba
São Paulo
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
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 North American B-25J Mitchell in Campo de Marte AFB

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1953
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Campo de Marte AFB (São Paulo)
São Paulo
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Campo de Marte AFB, an engine failed, forcing the crew to return. On final, the pilot-in-command made a forced landing in a wasteland located few km short of runway. All occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1953 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-049 Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
PP-PDA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo
MSN:
2066
YOM:
1946
Flight number:
PB263
Location:
São Paulo-Congonhas
São Paulo
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
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 De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B in Itapebi

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1953
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.114 Heron
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos Salvador
Registration:
PP-SLG
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
14004
YOM:
1952
Location:
Itapebi
Bahia
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command noted a loss of power on engine number two and decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the four engine aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen yards further. All 14 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the loss of power on engine number two could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported that the decision of the captain to abandon the takeoff was against the published procedures as the loss of power occurred after the airplane reached VR (rotation speed) and thus, should continue the takeoff maneuver with three engines.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DK in Salvador

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
PP-AJA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
11844
YOM:
1943
Location:
Salvador
Bahia
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Salvador Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command elected to return for an emergency landing when during the last turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed few hundred yards from the runway threshold. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the engine failure was not determined with certainty. However, the reaction of the crew was inappropriate as he failed to feather the propeller on the right engine, which increased drag and contributed to the stall of the airplane.

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

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1953 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
1515
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Guaratinguetá
Location:
Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
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 Lockheed 10A Electra near Rosário: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 10 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
PP-NBC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
São Luís – Grajaú
MSN:
1073
YOM:
1936
Location:
Rosario
Maranhão
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and decided to attempt an emergency landing when control was lost and the aircraft crashed in a field located near Rosário. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Petrópolis: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1952 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
2830
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
A-125
YOM:
1946
Location:
Petropólis
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
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.
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