Investigation Summary
The incident began on August 16, 1957, shortly after departure from Belém, when engine No. 2 failed. The crew continued to Ciudad Trujillo (Santo Domingo), where passengers were deplaned. Under airline orders, the crew attempted a three-engine ferry flight to Miami for maintenance. During the climb, engine No. 4 suffered an overspeed condition; the propeller and front section of the engine detached, striking and disabling engine No. 3. Left with only engine No. 1 operational, the aircraft could not maintain altitude, forcing Captain Geraldo Knippling to perform a ditching 500 meters off the coast of Cabarete.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by a sequence of mechanical failures involving three of the four engines. The decision to ferry the aircraft on three engines increased the risk, which culminated in a total loss of power on the right wing when engine No. 4 failed and took out engine No. 3. The structural failure of the tail during ditching was the direct cause of the single fatality.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone
The radial engines powering the L-1049G, which suffered three separate failures during the flight sequence.
Propeller Feathering System
Used successfully on engine No. 2 but unable to prevent the catastrophic overspeed and detachment of the No. 4 propeller.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was Varig's first Lockheed Super Constellation, delivered in 1955.
- 02The flight was a ferry operation with only 11 crew members and no passengers at the time of the crash.
- 03The Wright R-3350 engines were known for being temperamental and prone to failure.
- 04The tail section detached upon impact with the water, leading to the disappearance of one flight attendant.
- 05The ditching occurred only 500 meters from the shoreline.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Ferry Flight Regulations
The accident highlighted the risks of long-distance ferry flights on three engines with the Lockheed Constellation's specific engine reliability issues.