1958-12-30: Saab Scandia (PP-SQE) — VASP - Viação Aérea de São Paulo — Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, Brazil

21 fatalitiesRio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, BrazilTakeoff (climb)

An aircraft crashed into Guanabara Bay shortly after departing Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, resulting in 21 fatalities.

What happened

During the initial climb phase from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, an aircraft experienced a failure of its left engine at an altitude of approximately 50 meters. Following the loss of power, the crew executed a left-hand turn and maintained flight for roughly 500 meters. As the aircraft attempted a second leftward maneuver, it entered a stall and descended into Guanabara Bay.

The impact resulted in 21 fatalities, comprising all four crew members and 17 passengers. While the wreckage subsequently sank and was destroyed, rescue efforts successfully recovered 16 other individuals from the scene.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by improper control inputs by the pilot during the flight.