62 Years ago today: On 30 December 1958 a VASP Saab Scandia crashed into a Guanabara Bay, Brazil; killing 21 out of 37 occupants [first Saab Scandia hull-loss]

Date:Tuesday 30 December 1958
Time:12:09
Type:SAAB Scandia 90A-2
Operator:VASP – Viação Aérea São Paulo
Registration:PP-SQE
C/n / msn:90.103
First flight:1950
Engines:Pratt & Whitney R-2180-E1
Crew:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 33
Total:Fatalities: 21 / Occupants: 37
Aircraft damage:Damaged beyond repair
Location:Guanabara Bay, RJ (   Brazil)
Phase:En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, RJ (SDU/SBRJ), Brazil
Destination airport:São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, SP (CGH/SBSP), Brazil

Narrative:
The Saab took off from Rio de Janeiro and was climbing through an altitude of 50 m when the no. 1 engine failed. The pilot made a 90 degree left turn and started another left turn after flying straight on for about 500 m. During that turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: “The accident was attributed to the pilot’ incorrect handling of the controls in flight.”