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The 1960 Rio de Janeiro mid-air collision was an aerial collision between two aircraft over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 25, 1960. A United States Navy Douglas R6D-1 (DC-6A) (BuNo 131582) flying from Buenos Aires-Ezeiza to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Air Force Base collided over Guanabara Bay, close to the Sugarloaf Mountain, with a Real Transportes Aéreos Douglas DC-3, registration PP-AXD, operating flight 751 from Campos dos Goytacazes to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport. The crash occurred at 16:10 local time at an altitude of 1,600 meters (5,249 feet).[1][2][3][4]

1960 Rio de Janeiro mid-air collision

Accident
Date	February 25, 1960
Summary	Mid-air collision
Site	Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Total fatalities	61
Total survivors	3
First aircraft
A U.S. Navy Douglas R6D-1 similar to the accident aircraft
Type	Douglas R6D-1 (DC-6A)
Operator	United States Navy
Registration	131582
Flight origin	Buenos Aires-Ezeiza
Destination	Galeão Air Force Base
Occupants	38
Passengers	31
Crew	7
Fatalities	35
Survivors	3
Second aircraft
A Douglas DC-3 similar to the accident aircraft
Type	Douglas DC-3
Operator	Real Transportes Aéreos
Registration	PP-AXD
Flight origin	Campos dos Goytacazes
Destination	Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport
Occupants	26
Passengers	23
Crew	3
Fatalities	26
Survivors	0

The US Navy aircraft was carrying members of the United States Navy Band to Brazil to perform at a diplomatic reception attended by US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Of the 38 occupants of the American aircraft, 3 survived. All 26 passengers and crew of the Brazilian aircraft died. The probable causes of the accident are disputed, but include human error, both air and ground, and faulty equipment.[5][6]

References

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