Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando off Manaus: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LDE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Manaus – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
446
YOM:
1945
Location:
Ponta Pelada AFB, Manaus
Amazonas
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
After takeoff, during the initial climb, an engine failed. The pilot-in-command elected to return for an emergency landing but the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Río Negro. The airplane sank and all six crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure shortly after rotation for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Grumman J4F-2 Widgeon into the Guanabara Bay

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1952 at 0825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
2673
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1283
YOM:
1943
Location:
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
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 flight when an engine failed. The pilot-in-command attempted to ditch the airplane into the Guanabara Bay. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Boeing 377-10-26 Stratocruiser near Porto Nacional: 50 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1952 at 0440 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
Operator:
Registration:
N1039V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Buenos Aires – Montevideo – Rio de Janeiro – Port of Spain – New York
MSN:
15939
YOM:
1949
Flight number:
PA202
Location:
Porto Nacional
Tocantins
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
50
Captain / Total flying hours:
8452
Captain / Total hours on type:
735.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9099
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1134
Aircraft flight hours:
6944
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft christened 'Clipper Good Hope' left Rio de Janeiro at 0243LT bound for Port of Spain, completing an international schedule flight from Buenos Aires to New York. While cruising by night and good weather under VFR conditions at an altitude of 14,500 feet, the airplane suffered severe vibrations, went out of control and crashed in an uninhabited and isolated area located about 120 km southeast of Porto Nacional. The wreckage was found two days later and all 50 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the separation of the No 2 engine and propeller from the aircraft due to highly unbalances forces, followed by uncontrollability and disintegration of the aircraft for reasons undetermined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU Commando in Cochabamba: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CB-39
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cochabamba – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
26488
YOM:
1943
Location:
Cochabamba
Cochabamba
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft, still registered in Bolivia, was bought last July 21 by Loide Aéreo Nacional of Brazil to Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LAB Airlines) and has to be delivered to Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after takeoff from Cochabamba-Jorge Wilsterman Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane hit a tree and crashed in flames. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Gramacho: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1951 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Linha Aérea Transcontinental Brasileira - LATB
Registration:
PP-NAL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Vitória – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
42979
YOM:
1946
Location:
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew started the approach to Santos Dumont Airport in poor weather conditions. While flying at an insufficient height of 180 feet in low visibility, the aircraft hit a hill and crashed in Gramacho, about 20 km north of Santos Dumont Airfield. A pilot and a passenger were killed while 17 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to complete the approach under visual flight rules while poor weather conditions necessitated an approach under instruments flight rules. Due to low visibility, the aircraft was approaching at the insufficient height of 180 feet while the minimum descent altitude was fixed at 1,200 feet.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL in Maceió

Date & Time: May 15, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LPC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Recife
MSN:
19120
YOM:
1943
Location:
Maceió
Alagoas
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed near Maceió and was damaged beyond repair. All 16 occupants were unhurt and rescued.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Campina Grande

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LDD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Campina Grande – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
30346
YOM:
1944
Location:
Campina Grande
Paraíba
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
44
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Campina Grande Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and the captain decided to return for a safe landing. For unknown reason (technical issue with the undercarriage ?), the aircraft belly landed, slid for several yards and came to rest on runway. While all 49 occupants were evacuated safely, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed L-049 Constellation in Porto Alegre: 51 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1950 at 1925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-049 Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
PP-PCG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Porto Alegre
MSN:
2062
YOM:
1946
Flight number:
PB099
Location:
Porto Alegre
Rio Grande do Sul
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
44
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
51
Circumstances:
A first approach to Porto Alegre was abandoned due to poor weather conditions. The crew followed a circuit vertical to the city and eventually informed ATC that his fuel reserve was low. During a second attempt to land, while approaching in VFR mode in low visibility, the four engine aircraft was too low when it hit power cables and crashed in flames on the slope of a 200 meters hill located about 15 km from the runway threshold. All 51 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the pilot in command was trying to maintain a visual contact with the ground.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Iguape: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1949 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
PP-BLB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Iguape
MSN:
93
YOM:
1941
Location:
Iguape
São Paulo
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On landing on the Mar Pequeno, the seaplane hit an obstacle, overturned and sank. A crew member and two passengers were killed while 22 other occupants were rescued.
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