No fatalities

1963-05-05: Douglas DC-4 (PP-BTR) — Paraense Transportes Aéreos — São Paulo-Congonhas, Brazil

São Paulo-Congonhas, BrazilParking

On May 5, 1963, a Douglas DC-4 (registration PP-BTR) operated by Paraense Transportes Aéreos was involved in an aviation accident near São Paulo-Congonhas, Brazil. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A collision occurred between a parked aircraft and a maneuvering DC-6 during ground operations at the airport. 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 1781243927Data APIEditorial standards

A parked DC-4 sustained heavy damage following a collision with a VARIG DC-6 during ground operations at Congonhas Airport.

What happened

An incident occurred at São Paulo-Congonhas Airport involving two vintage propeller-driven aircraft while they were on the ground. A DC-4 was stationary in its parking position when its wing tip was impacted by a moving DC-6, which operated by VARIG and carrying the registration PP-YSI.

Following the collision, an assessment of the wreckage determined that the DC-4 had sustained structural damage so severe that it was classified as a total loss, being declared beyond repair. There were no reported injuries to any personnel during the maneuvering error.

Findings

  • The collision took place while the aircraft were in the taxi or parking phase of ground operations.
  • The primary cause of the damage was the contact between the wing tip of the stationary aircraft and the moving DC-6.

Probable cause

A collision occurred between a parked aircraft and a maneuvering DC-6 during ground operations at the airport.