Sal

Few minutes after takeoff from Lisbon-Portela de Sacavém Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off shore. All eight crew members were killed in the crash. They were returning to Brazil, carrying the bodies of Brazilian soldiers killed during the Second World War.

After landing at São Filipe Airport on Fogo Island, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop, overran and went down a rocky embankment before coming to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

The three engine airplane was on its way from Rio de Janeiro to Rome with intermediate stops in Natal, Sal and Seville. It departed Natal Airport at 0800LT on the leg to Sal, Cape Verde, carrying a crew of four, six passengers and the diplomatic mail. At 1125LT, while overflying the Atlantic Ocean, the crew reported technical problems with the central engine that had to be shut down. At 1146LT, the crew sent a mayday message and 10 minutes later, he informed ATC that the situation on board was difficult. Less than 10 minutes later, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. Important SAR operations were conducted on an area located some 185 km off the island of Fernando de Noronha. All operations were eventually suspended on January 22 as no trace of the aircraft nor the 10 occupants was found. The technical Director of LATI was among the occupants.
Crew:
Primo Ferioli, pilot,
Giuseppe Baratelli, pilot,
Oscar Pinelli, flight engineer,
Guido Fertonani, radio navigator.