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
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
9
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
41
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
50
Captain / Total hours on type:
735
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1134
Aircraft flight hours:
6944
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane named 'Clipper Good Hope' departed Rio de Janeiro at 0243LT bound for Port of Spain, completing an international schedule flight from Buenos Aires to New York. While cruising at night in good weather conditions, under VFR mode at an altitude of 14,500 feet, the airplane suffered severe vibrations. It entered an uncontrolled descent 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 were 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:
N1039V.pdf2.5 MB
