Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan off Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: May 15, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PP-CDE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Brasília
MSN:
3546
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport in the early morning on a cargo flight to Brasília, carrying two pilots and a load of newspapers. After he passed over Petrópolis, the crew encountered engine problems and decided to divert to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport. On final, he realized he could not make it and ditched the aircraft into the Guanabara Bay few km from the airport. Both pilots were rescued and the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical problems with engine.

Crash of a Lockheed 12 Electra Junior in Brasília

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PP-VTA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1278
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash landed at Brasília Airport while completing a cargo flight. Both pilots escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Vickers C-90 Viscount in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2100
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brasília – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
141
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was completing a flight from Brasília to Rio de Janeiro, carrying a delegation of the Brazilian government, among them Arturo da Costa e Silva, President of the Republic of Brazil. Upon landing at Santos Dumont Airport, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All 18 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear upon landing.

Crash of a Douglas B-26B Invader in Niquelândia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5155
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Parnamirim – Brasília
MSN:
28694
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Niquelândia while completing a flight from Parnamirim AFB (Natal), to Brasília. Two crew members were killed and two others survived.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-28-DK in Brasília

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1964
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SPK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brasília - Brasília
MSN:
15958/32706
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Brasília Airport. On final approach, the instructor simulated an emergency landing with the right engine at reduced power. The airplane stalled and struck the ground short of runway threshold and bounced. As the left engine failed to respond properly, the airplane stalled and crashed. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot under training to use the propeller controls properly and incorrect supervision on part of the instructor.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Brasilía

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-NBP
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
226
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-2 in Brasília: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1962 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VCQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Belo Horizonte – Brasília
MSN:
103
YOM:
1948
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7165
Captain / Total hours on type:
2392.00
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:

Crash of a Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III in Brasília

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1961 at 1822 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VJD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Brasília
MSN:
15
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
RG592
Country:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
62
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Rio de Janeiro, the pilot-in-command completed the approach at Brasília Airport. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed hard and struck violently the runway surface. On impact, the undercarriage were damaged and the airplane went out of control and veered off runway to the left. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane came to rest in flames. All 71 occupants were quickly evacuated and the aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Wrong approach configuration,
- Poor preparation of the approach and landing procedure,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- The pilot-in-command was under conversion training on this type of aircraft and under supervision at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Brasilia

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1961 at 2139 LT
Operator:
Registration:
2066
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brasília - Brasília
MSN:
13636
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Brasilia Airport. By night, the airplane crashed near the airfield, injuring all five crew members.

Crash of a Convair CV-340-62 off Rio de Janeiro: 54 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1960 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-YRB
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
191
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
RL435
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
49
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
54
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Circumstances:
On approach to Galeão Airport in Rio, weather conditions worsened and the crew was instructed by ATC to follow a holding pattern. Heavy rain falls and foggy conditions prevailed at this time. Few minutes later, the crew attempted a second approach to Galeão Airport when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Guanabara Bay. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 54 occupants were killed. Up to date, this was the worst air tragedy in Brazil.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.