Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross crash, Jan 17, 1979, Itac...
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross accident on January 17, 1979 near Itacajá Tocantins, Brazil with no fatalities. Cause: Right engine failure caused by a...
- Date: January 17, 1979
- Aircraft: Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
- Location: Itacajá Tocantins, Brazil
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Right engine failure caused by a major oil leak, followed by loss of the left engine on short final
On 17 January 1979 Brazilian Air Force Grumman HU-16 Albatross 6539 was flying from Carolina to Florianopolis with two crew when the right engine failed from a major oil leak at 8,000 feet. The crew feathered the propeller and jettisoned cargo and auxiliary tanks, but could not hold altitude. On short final the left engine also lost power, the undercarriage was not fully locked on touchdown and the aircraft crash landed and skidded on its belly in an open field. Both crew were uninjured and the aircraft was written off.