Date & Time: Dec 22, 1962 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VCQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Belo Horizonte – Brasília
MSN:
103
YOM:
1948
Country:
Brazil
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7165
Captain / Total hours on type:
2392
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3395
Copilot / Total hours on type:
178
Aircraft flight hours:
21728
Circumstances:
At 0054LT, the crew reported on approach to Brasília Airport at an altitude of 1,800 meters. He was instructed to report when inbound for runway 28 and was given the latest weather conditions. Initial approach was begun at 0056. At 0059 the flight reported it as on final approach. The tower gave it thelatest wind conditions, 330°, velocity 8-10 kt, and the aircraft was cleared to land. The message was acknowledged. Nothing further was heard from the flight. The tower controller saw a flash of light in the direction from which the aircraft was expected, however, he did not think anything abnormal had occurred. After a few unsuccessful calls, search and rescue services were alerted. The aircraft had struck trees and the ground 8,400 meters from the runway and continued over uneven ground for 300 meters. As the aircraft fell on its side, only the side exit facing upward would be used for evacuation. Because of the failure of normal lights and the fact that no flashlights were available, it was difficult to find the emergency exit. The captain was killed while the copilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The aircraft descended below the prescribed altitude for undetermined reasons.
Final Report: