On February 9, 1972, an Avro 748 (registration PP-VDU) operated by VARIG - Viação Aérea Rio Grandense was involved in an aviation accident near Porto Alegre, Brazil during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The takeoff was performed with a simulated failure of the right engine. Incorrect procedure used by the instructor by simulating the engine failure below V1 and attempting to unstick the aircraft below minimum control speed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a local training flight at Porto Alegre Airport, the crew retracted the gear after liftoff, causing a stall. The aircraft crashed back onto the runway, slid, and came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Incident Overview
A training flight operated at Porto Alegre Airport involved a crew of a pilot under supervision and an instructor. After liftoff, during the initial climb, the crew retracted the landing gear. The aircraft then stalled and crashed back onto the runway, sliding for several yards before coming to rest.
Both pilots were uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
The official probable cause states that the takeoff was performed with a simulated failure of the right engine. The instructor used an incorrect procedure by simulating the engine failure below V1 and attempting to unstick the aircraft below minimum control speed.