Flight Details
The aircraft, a four-engine airplane named Clipper Good Hope, was operating an international scheduled passenger flight from Buenos Aires to New York. It departed Rio de Janeiro at 0243 local time, en route to Port of Spain. While cruising at an altitude of 14,500 feet under visual flight rules in good weather at night, the aircraft encountered severe vibrations.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after the onset of vibrations, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. It crashed in an uninhabited and isolated area approximately 120 kilometers southeast of Porto Nacional. The wreckage was located two days later. All 50 occupants on board were killed.
Investigation Findings
Official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the separation of the No 2 engine and propeller from the aircraft due to highly unbalanced forces. This was followed by uncontrollability and disintegration of the aircraft for reasons that were not determined.