Loide Aéreo Nacional

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Clearance was given for the route segment PPRF - PPKG at the approved altitude of 1 800 metres. Upon reaching the position Nazaré, the pilot descended without clearance to 1 200 metres and passed over the PPKG facility at 1000 metres, or 200 metres below the minimum altitude provided for initiating the procedure as prescribed by the Directorate of Air Routes. Having passed over the facility, the pilot consulted the procedure for PPKG and replaced it in the file. When the copilot asked him whether it should not be kept out, he said no, as he already knew it by heart. The procedure was initiated normally, the aircraft returning on a heading unknown to the Investigating Commission until it was at 520 metres (critical altitude 647 metres), when vertical visual contact with the runway was established; but it was not possible to come in, the aircraft having passed the critical point and being over the runway. The pilot tried to enter the traffic visual, so as not to lose sight of the runway, but this proved impossible on reaching final approach, with the result that the landing starting the return, on heading 200 degrees, he began to descend, turning on the aircraft lights. After a few moments of flight, the copilot tried unsuccessfully to obtain visual reference by looking outside. At this time he felt a violent impact and heard the pilot shout that he was "hitting". Two crew and eleven passengers were killed, and two crew and three passengers were seriously injured in the accident. The inbound heading of 200 degrees observed by the copilot and checked by the Investigating Commission showed that the procedure carried out by the pilot was not in accordance with that indicated in the approach chart approved by the Directorate of Air Routes. It was also found that at the time vertical visual contact with the runway was established, the aircraft was at most 40 metres from the ground, despite the fact that the meteorological information supplied by the Loide station at PPKG was ceiling 130 metres with visibility 6 km.

Douglas DC-4

When transmitting its position to SBBE (Belém-Val-de-Cans) tower, over "Piranha" reporting point, the aircraft reported it was descending on "night time visual". Failing to obtain subsequent contact with the aircraft, the tower asked a Catalina aircraft, flying over SBBE at the time, to proceed to the above mentioned reporting point in order to check what had gone wrong. The accident was then discovered. Six crew members and four passengers were killed and one passenger was seriously injured. It appears the aircraft crashed in the Maraso Bay off the Carnapijo Island.

Douglas DC-4

During the takeoff roll, the engine number four caught fire and exploded. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. About 100 meters before the runway end, a tire on the left main gear burst. The airplane veered off runway and came to rest in flames. Two crew members and three passengers were killed, 11 passengers were unhurt and 57 others were injured.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Shortly after takeoff from Pampulha Airport, while climbing, the airplane banked left, lost height and crashed in flames. All 16 occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. It was reported that the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine during startup at Caratinga Airport and Belo Horizonte as well. It is believed the problem was solved by crossfeeding the engines. Nevertheless, the crew took the decision to continue the flight despite engine technical issues due to poor maintenance.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Shortly after takeoff from Congonhas Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine and received the permission to return for an emergency landing. On final approach in poor weather conditions, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around for unknown reason. Few minutes later, while completing a last turn to join the approach path, the airplane stalled and crashed in an eucalyptus plant located few hundred yards short of runway. All 17 occupants were evacuated, among them few passengers were injured. The captain was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

After takeoff, during the initial climb, an engine failed. The pilot-in-command elected to return for an emergency landing but the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Río Negro. The airplane sank and all six crew members were killed.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

The aircraft, still registered in Bolivia, was bought last July 21 by Loide Aéreo Nacional of Brazil to Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LAB Airlines) and has to be delivered to Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after takeoff from Cochabamba-Jorge Wilsterman Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane hit a tree and crashed in flames. All seven occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The approach to Aracaju Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with low visibility due to heavy rain falls. Three km from the runway threshold, the airplane hit a tree and crashed in flames in a field. Rescue teams took 11 hours to reach the crash site where no survivors were found. Among the 33 occupants were four members of the government from the State of Rio Grande Norte, among them Governor Jerônimo Dix-Sept Rosado Maia. The aircraft was leased from Loide Aéreo Nacional to Linhas Aéreas Paulistas.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

A first approach to Santos Dumont Airport was abandoned due to poor weather conditions. A second attempt to land was made with a tailwind and the aircraft landed on a wet runway. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and plunged into the Guanabara Bay. All 38 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Shortly after takeoff from Campina Grande Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and the captain decided to return for a safe landing. For unknown reason (technical issue with the undercarriage ?), the aircraft belly landed, slid for several yards and came to rest on runway. While all 49 occupants were evacuated safely, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.