Region
Europe

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster in Santa Maria

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
XA-GUU
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madrid – Santa Maria – Mexico City
MSN:
10390
YOM:
1944
Location:
Santa Maria
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Vila do Porto Airport (Santa Maria Island), while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered a loss of power on one engine. It stalled, hit the runway surface and came to rest. There were no injuries among the 44 occupants but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. The four engine aircraft was performing a flight from Madrid to Mexico City with an intermediate stop in Vila do Porto.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power on takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in Lisbon

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-4
Operator:
Registration:
CS-TSB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lisbon - Lisbon
MSN:
3059
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lisbon
Estremadura - Lisbon District
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a local training sortie in Lisbon-Portela de Sacavém Airport. For unknown reason, the four engine aircraft landed hard. All five crew members were unhurt but the aircraft was later inspected and considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Lisbon

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CS-TDF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lisbon - Lisbon
MSN:
18998
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lisbon
Estremadura - Lisbon District
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission in Lisbon. Shortly after takeoff from Lisbon-Portela de Sacavém Airport, while in initial climb, the instructor shut down an engine. The aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. While all five crew members were injured, the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-95-DL Flying Fortress in Lajes

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
276
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
32353
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lajes
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the four engine aircraft overran and collided with a rocky wall. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL in Monte da Caparica: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CS-TDB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lisbon - Lisbon
MSN:
10033
YOM:
1943
Location:
Monte da Caparica
Estremadura - Lisbon District
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight in the vicinity of Lisbon. In flight, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a huge explosion in Monte da Caparica, south of Lisbon. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor off Ponta Delgada: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1947 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
CS-TAA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Ponta Delgada - Santa Maria
MSN:
6076
Location:
Ponta Delgada
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
600
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Ponta Delgada Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off shore. Few debris were found on water surface but all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty as the wreckage was not found.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Santa Maria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
SU-AED
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Wichita – Montreal – Gander – Santa Maria – Cairo
MSN:
A-368
Location:
Santa Maria
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While approaching Santa Maria Airport, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and crashed. Both occupants were killed. The crew was performing a delivery flight from Wichita to Cairo with intermediate stops in Montreal, Gander and Santa Maria.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C-SIC3G near Lisbon: 19 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1947 at 1845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
F-BAXQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Paris – Bordeaux – Lisbon
MSN:
13806/25251
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lisbon
Estremadura - Lisbon District
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Captain / Total flying hours:
1520
Aircraft flight hours:
130
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Paris Le Bourget Airport at 1045LT and Bordeaux-Mérignac at 1330LT. The crew started the descent to Lisbon Airport in poor weather conditions with low clouds and fog. While approaching from the west, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Peninha located in the Sintra Mountain Range, about 30 km west of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the wreckage was found about 15 meters below the summit. A passenger was seriously injured while 19 other occupants were killed, among them 8 members of the French Orchestra 'Ars Rediviva' directed by Claude and Claire Crussard.
Crew:
Oscar Porta, pilot,
Michel Eyquem, copilot,
René Montel, radio navigator,
R. Anglès, mechanic,
Anne-Marie Dupuy, stewardess.
Probable cause:
It appears that the radio guidance system at Lisbon Airport failed for about 15 minutes while the crew was approaching the city from the west. At that time, the visibility was reduced due to foggy conditions and the crew was unable to locate his position with certainty. Due to poor visibility and lack of ground assistance, the crew did not realize his altitude was insufficient.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-10-DC Skymaster in Vila do Porto: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72680
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
10785
YOM:
1945
Location:
Vila do Porto (Santa Maria Island)
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Hit a mountain slope and crash 6,5 km from the airfield while on approach to Vila do Porto Airport, Santa Maria Island. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt David L. Satz 3.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator VIII in Lajes: 19 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated LB-30 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
EW626
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lajes – Lisbon
Location:
Lajes
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lajes Airbase, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All 19 occupants were killed.
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