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Emergency Ditching in Rio Javari After Loss of Orientation (OB-OAD-233)

Rio Javari, PeruFlight

On January 17, 1949, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration OB-OAD-233) operated by Aerovias Nacionales del Sur - ANDES was involved in an aviation accident near Rio Javari, Peru in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from the pilot's loss of orientation and subsequent fuel exhaustion, which necessitated an emergency ditching. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot lost orientation en route and attempted an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion, ditching into the Rio Javari near Iquitos. All 15 occupants evacuated safely before the aircraft sank.

What happened

During the en route phase of flight, the pilot lost spatial orientation and was unable to determine the aircraft's current position. As fuel reserves became critically low, the captain initiated an emergency procedure to land as soon as possible. The aircraft was eventually ditched into the Rio Javari, located at the border with Brazil approximately 200 km south of Iquitos.

Upon impact with the water surface, the airframe slid for a short distance before coming to rest. The evacuation process was completed successfully by all 15 occupants prior to the aircraft submerging. The wreck came to rest at a depth of 20 meters.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from the pilot's loss of orientation and subsequent fuel exhaustion, which necessitated an emergency ditching.

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