Aircraft overrun into Guanabara Bay during ferry flight

No fatalities • Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft performing a short repositioning flight from Galeão Airport to Santos Dumont Airport overran the runway and entered the water, resulting in injuries to the crew.

What happened

Following the closure of Santos Dumont Airport due to heavy fog, an aircraft was forced to divert to Galeão Airport. After passengers had already disembarked at the diversion site, the crew attempted a brief ferry flight back to the original destination once visibility improved.

Upon arriving at Santos Dumont Airport, the aircraft landed on runway 02. During the landing roll, the plane failed to decelerate sufficiently within the available runway length. This resulted in an overrun that caused the aircraft to plunge into Guanabara Bay. The incident resulted in five injuries among the crew members, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Findings

Investigations determined that the primary factor in the accident was an incorrect approach configuration by the flight crew, which led to the aircraft touching down too far down the runway, leaving insufficient distance for a safe stop.

Probable cause

The crew utilized an improper approach configuration, resulting in a touchdown point too far along the runway to allow for a complete stop.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1959-01-06 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil?

An aircraft performing a short repositioning flight from Galeão Airport to Santos Dumont Airport overran the runway and entered the water, resulting in injuries to the crew.

Were there any fatalities in the 1959-01-06 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1959-01-06 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration PP-LDH, operated by Paraense Transportes Aéreos, at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew utilized an improper approach configuration, resulting in a touchdown point too far along the runway to allow for a complete stop.

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