Aircraft crash in Guanabara Bay following takeoff from Rio de Janeiro

3 fatalities • Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil • Takeoff (climb)

A small aircraft crashed into Guanabara Bay shortly after departing Santos Dumont Airport, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board.

What happened

On the day of the accident, an aircraft departed from the Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumونت Airport. During the initial climb phase, while the plane had reached an altitude of approximately 30 meters, it experienced a loss of airspeed and entered a stall.

Following the stall, the aircraft descended rapidly and impacted the surface of Guanabara Bay. The crash site was located roughly 800 meters beyond the end of the runway. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and three fatalities among the crew members on board.

Findings

  • The aircraft entered a stall during the climb phase.
  • The accident occurred at a very low altitude of 30 meters.
  • All three crew members perished in the crash.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall during its initial climb from the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1961-12-06 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil?

A small aircraft crashed into Guanabara Bay shortly after departing Santos Dumont Airport, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1961-12-06 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1961-12-06 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration 2067, operated by Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira (1941-), at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall during its initial climb from the runway.

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