No fatalities

Cargo Aircraft Strikes Truck During Takeoff, Returns for Belly Landing (2358)

Rio Branco, BrazilTakeoff (climb)

On March 16, 1978, a De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo (registration 2358) operated by Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira (1941-) was involved in an aviation accident near Rio Branco, Brazil during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. 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

An aircraft carrying five tons of rice and beans struck a truck during takeoff from Rio Branco. The crew returned, burned fuel, and jettisoned cargo after main gear failed to lower, then belly-landed without injuries.

Incident Overview

An aircraft operating a cargo flight from Rio Branco to Cruzeiro do Sul struck a truck during takeoff under unclear circumstances. The flight was carrying five tons of rice and beans. Following the collision, the crew decided to return to the departure airport.

Landing Gear Issue and Fuel Dumping

During the return, one of the main landing gear could not be lowered. To reduce weight and mitigate risk, the crew burned fuel and jettisoned 30 sacks of cargo from the aircraft.

Belly Landing and Aftermath

The aircraft subsequently performed a belly landing. It came to rest on the runway. No injuries were reported among the occupants. However, the aircraft sustained substantial damage and was considered beyond economical repair.