No fatalities

1954-03-04: Curtiss C-46 Commando (PP-LPH) — Linhas Aéreas Paulistas — Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, BrazilTakeoff (climb)

On March 4, 1954, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration PP-LPH) operated by Linhas Aéreas Paulistas was involved in an aviation accident near Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781252344Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight with touch and goes, a hard landing and bounce led to a go-around, followed by engine power loss, stall, and collision with a boat mast before crashing into Guanabara Bay. Both pilots were rescued.

Incident Overview

A training flight conducted at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport ended with the aircraft crashing into Guanabara Bay. The flight consisted of several touch-and-go landings.

Sequence of Events

During an approach, the flight instructor decided to perform a single-engine landing and shut down one engine. For an unknown reason, the airplane landed hard on one wheel and bounced. The instructor then noticed another airplane entering the runway and decided to execute a go-around, increasing power on the second engine.

Seconds later, while in initial climb, the second engine lost power. The airplane lost speed, stalled, and struck the mast of a boat before impacting the waters of Guanabara Bay.

Aftermath

Both pilots were rescued from the bay. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.

Investigation

The investigation is ongoing. The cause of the hard landing and the subsequent engine power loss remain undetermined at this time.