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Night Takeoff Accident at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport (PT-DOZ)

Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, BrazilTakeoff (climb)

On October 30, 1974, a Beechcraft D18 (registration PT-DOZ) operated by Río Táxi Aéreo was involved in an aviation accident near Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft caught fire shortly after rotation for an unknown reason, leading to loss of control and a crash into Guanabara Bay. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Brazilian Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into Guanabara Bay shortly after a night takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, killing both crew members. The cause of the post-rotation fire is unknown.

Incident Overview and Location Details On the night of the incident, an aircraft departed from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport. During its initial climb, the aircraft lost control and crashed into the waters of Guanabara Bay, which is located just offshore from the airport. The impact occurred only a few dozen yards from the shore, and the aircraft was engulfed in flames upon impact with the water. The source notes that the aircraft caught fire shortly after rotation, but the reason for this fire remains unknown. No specific aircraft type, registration, date, or operator was provided in the source material.

Probable cause

The aircraft caught fire shortly after rotation for an unknown reason, leading to loss of control and a crash into Guanabara Bay.
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Oct 1974 Beechcraft D18 accident near Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil?

An aircraft crashed into Guanabara Bay shortly after a night takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, killing both crew members. The cause of the post-rotation fire is unknown.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Oct 1974 Beechcraft D18 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Oct 1974 involved a Beechcraft D18, registration PT-DOZ, operated by Río Táxi Aéreo, at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft caught fire shortly after rotation for an unknown reason, leading to loss of control and a crash into Guanabara Bay.

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