Incident
While approaching Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport under good weather conditions, a Viscount aircraft collided with a Brazilian Air Force Fokker T-21 (S.11) registered 0742. The collision occurred approximately 4 km south of the airfield. The trainer was completing a local training flight at the time.
Aircraft and Occupants
The Viscount was carrying 32 occupants. The trainer aircraft was occupied by its pilot only.
Casualties and Damage
The pilot of the trainer aircraft ejected successfully and was later recovered uninjured. His aircraft crashed on Joaquim de Queiroz street. The Viscount, having lost control, dove into the ground and crashed on Peçanha Póvoas street in the district of Ramos. Several houses were destroyed. All 32 occupants on board the Viscount were killed, along with 10 people on the ground.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the probable cause was failure of both pilots to maintain adequate lookout for other aircraft. Apparently, the pilot of the trainer aircraft was not supposed to cross the approach path of the Viscount.