Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DK in Mendoza

Date & Time: May 12, 1965
Operator:
Registration:
965
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Mendoza
MSN:
12676
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to El Plumerillo Airport at Mendoza, one of the propeller blade on the left engine separated, struck the fuselage and penetrated into the cabin. The captain decided to reduce his altitude and completed an emergency landing in a prairie located few km from the airfield. While all 20 occupants were evacuated safely, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of a propeller blade in flight.

Crash of a Vickers 701C Viscount near Nova Friburgo: 39 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1964 at 1634 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SRR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Recife – Vitória – Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo
MSN:
66
YOM:
1955
Flight number:
VP141
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Captain / Total flying hours:
6787
Captain / Total hours on type:
428.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5945
Copilot / Total hours on type:
433
Aircraft flight hours:
17165
Circumstances:
The Viscount took off from Vitoria at 18:45 GMT and climbed to 1800 m. At 19:33 the crew reported over Rio Bonito at 1800 m in instrument meteorological conditions. Actually, the flight was over Nova Friburgo, 43 km from Rio Bonito. The aircraft collided with the west slope of the Pico da Caledônia (2255 m) at an elevation of about 1950 m (6400 ft). VASP Flight 141 was a scheduled service from Recife, Brazil to São Paulo, Brazil with intermediate stops at Vitória and Rio de Janeiro. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 39 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with an obstacle located 35 km to the right of the intended track, for reasons unknown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-240-0 in São Paulo: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1963 at 1612 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-CEV
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo
MSN:
6
YOM:
1948
Flight number:
SC403
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
While descending to São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and low visibility. As a result, ATC instructed the crew to make a go around and to divert to another airport. The pilot-in-command started the go around manoeuvre when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed onto several houses located in the district of Jabaquara, less than one km short of runway 35. Three houses were destroyed and the airplane as well. A crew member, five passengers and seven people on the ground were killed while 39 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Control was lost while attempting a go around manoeuvre due top the failure of the left engine. It was reported that the crew failed to react properly to an emergency situation due, among others, to a lack of training.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-0 in Vitória: 23 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1962 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-CEZ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Vitória
MSN:
25
YOM:
1949
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Captain / Total flying hours:
18386
Captain / Total hours on type:
2526.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3637
Copilot / Total hours on type:
395
Circumstances:
The aircraft was flying the Rio de Janeiro - Vitória segment of a scheduled international flight. A 2220 GMT it reported it was over Guararapi at 2,700 m and in IMC. The aircraft was authorized to descend to 2,100 m and told to maintain that altitude until reaching the Vitória NDB. At 2228 it reported it was three minutes out at 2,100 m and in VMC. The flight continued its descent and was given landing instructions for runway 23. The controller in the tower watched the aircraft descending, and at the end of the downwind leg he saw the landing lights being adjusted. When the aircraft reported on final, the landing instructions were repeated. Shortly thereafter power was applied in an effort to climb the aircraft, but it collided with a eucalyptus tree at a height of 40 m, 1,860 m from the threshold of runway 23. At that stage of the approach the aircraft should been at a minimum altitude of 190 m (150 m above the ground). Fire broke following impact and destroyed the airplane. Two passengers were seriously injured while all 23 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot did not carry out the approach in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the airline and misjudged his distance from the runway.
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-47-DL in Natal: 23 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1961
Operator:
Registration:
2055
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Natal – Belém
MSN:
4473
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
On approach to Natal, the airplane went out of control and crashed 1,5 km short of runway. Both pilots and 21 passengers were killed. Five other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK off Rio de Janeiro: 26 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1960 at 1307 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-AXD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Campos de Goytacazes – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
13326
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
RL751
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
The R4D-6 left Buenos Aires at 0825LT on a flight to Rio de Janeiro, carrying a delegation of musicians who would take part to a ceremony dedicated to the official visit in Rio de Janeiro of the US President Eisenhower. At 12:56 the crew reported over the BAGRE fix, entering the Rio Approach Control zone. The plane then descended to 1500 m reaching the Ilha Rasa (IH) NDB at 13:05. The crew were then instructed to arrive over the RJ NDB at 1800 m altitude and continue to the KX NDB descending to 1500 m. At the KX NDB the plane could enter the approach path for Galeao Airport. At 13:07 the flight reported passing over RJ at 1800 m, but the plane was in fact still approaching the NDB! False radio compass indications in the area are not uncommon; they are influenced by a steel cable car in the area. REAL DC-3 PP-AXD had left Campos at 12:10 for a flight to Rio de Janeiro. The flight reported at the Porto das Caixas fix at 12:58. at 1650 m. He was told to head for the RJ NDB at 1800 m and was later cleared for 1500 m to carry out the Victor Procedure for an approach to Santos Dumont Airport. The DC-3 overflew the RJ NDB at 13:06 at 1700 m. While carrying out the standard 180° turn to the left, the DC-3 was hit on its right side in an upward direction by the US Navy DC-6. The collision occurred at about 1600 m; the DC-3 crashed into the bay just southeast of Sugar Loaf Mountain; the DC-6 crashed into the bay just north of the mountain.
Probable cause:
According to the Brazilian Investigations Board, the accident was attributed to an error of the personnel (pilot of the DC-6) due to improper piloting procedure when flying on authorized instrument flight. The pilot disobeyed the instructions transmitted by Rio Approach Control. An investigation by the US Navy came to a different cause: The accident cannot be attributed to either of the aircraft involved, the manner in which either was operated, or to any
significant actions or errors of the crews. The roles of the language problem, the lack of modern air navigation and control aids and the methods of aircraft traffic control used at Rio de Janeiro, although extremely material, do not attain the status of immediate causes of the accident according to the evidence adduced. Had these matters been different, in one or more respects favorable to greater air safety, this accident might have been avoided. These problems were, however, common to the flights of all aircraft in the area and were well known by the pilots and controller to exist. It is evident that uncertainty on the part of the controller as to the original position of the DC-3; his underestimation of the time factors, including aircraft reaction time; and his lack of appreciation of the communications difficulties and the increasing seriousness of the situation, combined to create the conditions which led to the collision.

Crash of a Douglas R6D-1 off Rio de Janeiro: 35 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1960 at 1307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
131582
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buenos Aires - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
43685
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
31
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
35
Circumstances:
The R4D-6 left Buenos Aires at 0825LT on a flight to Rio de Janeiro, carrying a delegation of musicians who would take part to a ceremony dedicated to the official visit in Rio de Janeiro of the US President Eisenhower. At 12:56 the crew reported over the BAGRE fix, entering the Rio Approach Control zone. The plane then descended to 1500 m reaching the Ilha Rasa (IH) NDB at 13:05. The crew were then instructed to arrive over the RJ NDB at 1800 m altitude and continue to the KX NDB descending to 1500 m. At the KX NDB the plane could enter the approach path for Galeao Airport. At 13:07 the flight reported passing over RJ at 1800 m, but the plane was in fact still approaching the NDB! False radio compass indications in the area are not uncommon; they are influenced by a steel cable car in the area. REAL DC-3 PP-AXD had left Campos at 12:10 for a flight to Rio de Janeiro. The flight reported at the Porto das Caixas fix at 12:58. at 1650 m. He was told to head for the RJ NDB at 1800 m and was later cleared for 1500 m to carry out the Victor Procedure for an approach to Santos Dumont Airport. The DC-3 overflew the RJ NDB at 13:06 at 1700 m. While carrying out the standard 180° turn to the left, the DC-3 was hit on its right side in an upward direction by the US Navy DC-6. The collision occurred at about 1600 m; the DC-3 crashed into the bay just southeast of Sugar Loaf Mountain; the DC-6 crashed into the bay just north of the mountain.
Probable cause:
According to the Brazilian Investigations Board, the accident was attributed to an error of the personnel (pilot of the DC-6) due to improper piloting procedure when flying on authorized instrument flight. The pilot disobeyed the instructions transmitted by Rio Approach Control. An investigation by the US Navy came to a different cause: The accident cannot be attributed to either of the aircraft involved, the manner in which either was operated, or to any
significant actions or errors of the crews. The roles of the language problem, the lack of modern air navigation and control aids and the methods of aircraft traffic control used at Rio de Janeiro, although extremely material, do not attain the status of immediate causes of the accident according to the evidence adduced. Had these matters been different, in one or more respects favorable to greater air safety, this accident might have been avoided. These problems were, however, common to the flights of all aircraft in the area and were well known by the pilots and controller to exist. It is evident that uncertainty on the part of the controller as to the original position of the DC-3; his underestimation of the time factors, including aircraft reaction time; and his lack of appreciation of the communications difficulties and the increasing seriousness of the situation, combined to create the conditions which led to the collision.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO off Ilha Rasa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1959 at 1900 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-NAZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
7387
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 16 km off Ilha Rasa, south of Rio de Janeiro. Few debris were found floating on water few hours after the crash. The main wreckage and both pilots pilots bodies were found later on. The crew was completing a pilot proficiency check flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DL near Prado: 17 killed

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1959 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
2070
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Salvador
MSN:
13822
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
En route from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances near Prado, south Bahia. The aircraft was destroyed and all 17 occupants were killed, among them Major-Brigadier Dionisio Cerqueira de Taunay who was travelling with his wife and both children on behalf of the Ministry of Defense.