3 fatalities

Fatal aircraft accident in Coelhos Mountain Range (PP-VBJ)

Gravatá, BrazilFlight

On July 15, 1968, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration PP-VBJ) operated by VARIG - Viação Aérea Rio Grandense was involved in an aviation accident near Gravatá, Brazil in flight. 3 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight traveling from São Paulo to Recife crashed in the Coelhos Mountain Range, resulting in the deaths of all onboard personnel.

What happened

A cargo operation flying from São Paulo toward Recife ended in a fatal accident within the Coelhos Mountain Range, located in the vicinity of Gravatá. The aircraft was engaged in a transport mission when it went down under circumstances that remain undetermined.

During the flight, the aircraft impacted terrain in the mountainous region. The crash resulted in three fatalities, as all members of the crew on board lost their lives in the event.

Findings

At this time, the specific reasons for the impact have not been established, and the exact nature of the accident remains unknown.