ASN Aircraft accident Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando PP-VBI Jaquirana, RS
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Status:
Date:Tuesday 2 August 1949
Type:Silhouette image of generic C46 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
Operator:Varig
Registration: PP-VBI
MSN: 33100
First flight: 1945
Crew:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 6
Passengers:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 30
Total:Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 36
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:Jaquirana, RS (   Brazil)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, SP (CGH/SBSP), Brazil
Destination airport:Porto Alegre Airport, RS (POA/SBPA), Brazil
Narrative:
Curtiss C-46 PP-VBI departed São Paulo at 11:23 for a flight to Porto Alegre. Some 20 minutes prior to the estimated time of arrival a fire in cargo hold 'G' was noted. The pilot executed an emergency descent while the mechanics tried, in vain, to extinguish the fire. The flight crew members were not able to see their instruments due to heavy smoke and had to keep their heads out of the window to carry out an emergency landing in hilly terrain. The passengers crowded in panic at the forward end of the cabin in an attempt to escape from the fire. This caused a dangerous and sudden change in the Centre of Gravity of the plane. The aircraft swung violently during the landing on rough ground.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The cause of the fire in the Hold 'G' of the aeroplane was not determined by the investigation board who evidently assumed that several possibilities may have existed such as the ignition of inflammable material contained in cargo or passenger baggage, or through a live cigarette butt falling through an open cargo tie ring hole or open rivet hole in the cabin floor - considered a very remote possibility. The report states that several passengers, possibly students on board brought petroleum jars from Bahia, and some suspicion is expressed related to this incident."

Classification:
Inflight fire
Forced landing outside airport

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Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, SP to Porto Alegre Airport, RS as the crow flies is 835 km (522 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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