What happened
During a scheduled mail delivery mission originating from São Francisco, an aircraft operated by Correio Aéreo Nacional encountered significant mechanical difficulties while approaching Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport. The crew discovered that the undercarriage failed to extend properly during the approach phase.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, the pilot maintained flight for approximately one hour, performing various maneuvers over the Rio de Janeiro area. Ultimately, the decision was made to proceed with a landing on the aircraft's fuselage. The resulting belly landing caused the plane to slide across the ground for several dozen yards before coming to a complete stop.
Findings
There were no injuries reported among the three occupants on board during the incident. While the crew escaped unharmed, the aircraft sustained heavy damage and was subsequently declared a total loss.