Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 1 December 1955
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47B-28-DK (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Cruzeiro do Sul
Registration Number: PP-CCC
Location: near Belm, PA –
ÿ Brazil
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Propeller shaft and left enginePropeller shaft and left engine
Category: Accident

A Cruzeiro DC-3 aircraft took off from Belm at 09:57 GMT, experiencing a significant loss of altitude and subsequent impact due to a propeller failure. The engine stalled, hydraulic pump failure resulted in undercarriage retraction, drag caused a wing strike, and ultimately, the aircraft entered a stall. A section of the wing broke off, leading to a stall and fire.A Cruzeiro DC-3 aircraft took off from Belm at 09:57 GMT, experiencing a significant loss of altitude and subsequent impact due to a propeller failure. The engine stalled, hydraulic pump failure resulted in undercarriage retraction, drag caused a wing strike, and ultimately, the aircraft entered a stall. A section of the wing broke off, leading to a stall and fire.
Description
The Cruzeiro DC-3 took off from Belm at 09:57 GMT. At a height of 100-250 m the no. 1 engine stalled and lost power. The crew switched off the hydraulic pump, causing the undercarriage to stop retracting half way. The resulting drag caused the aircraft to lose altitude. With the no. 1 prop windmilling and the no. 2 engine at full power, the left wing struck a tree. A wing section of 2,5 m broke off causing the aircraft to enter a stall. The DC-3 hit the ground 200 m further on an caught fire. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Failure of the front bearing of the propeller shaft originated a process which led to disconnection of the reduction gear and left propeller and causing sudden stoppage of the left engine.”
Primary Cause
Failure of the front bearing of the propeller shaft resulted in disconnection of the reduction gear and left propeller, causing sudden stoppage of the left engine.Failure of the front bearing of the propeller shaft resulted in disconnection of the reduction gear and left propeller, causing sudden stoppage of the left engine.Share on: