No fatalities

Engine Failure and Stall During Emergency Landing at Salvador Airport (PP-AJA)

Salvador, BrazilTakeoff (climb)

On March 15, 1953, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration PP-AJA) operated by Transportes Aéreos Catarinense was involved in an aviation accident near Salvador, Brazil during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the engine failure was not determined with certainty. However, the reaction of the crew was inappropriate as he failed to feather the propeller on the right engine, which increased drag and contributed to the stall of the airplane. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

Shortly after takeoff from Salvador Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot returned for an emergency landing, but during the last turn the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft destroyed.

Accident Description

The incident began shortly after takeoff from Salvador Airport. While the aircraft was climbing, a failure occurred in the right engine. The pilot-in-command opted to return to the airport for an emergency landing. As the aircraft executed the final turn, it stalled and then crashed a few hundred yards from the runway threshold.

Injuries and Damage

All six occupants were injured during the accident sequence. The aircraft sustained extensive damage and was destroyed.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the precise reason for the right engine failure could not be determined. Nevertheless, the crew's reaction was deemed inappropriate because the propeller on the right engine was not feathered. This failure to feather the propeller resulted in increased drag, which was a factor in the subsequent stall.