131582 flying from Buenos Aires–Ezeiza to Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Air Force Base. The probable causes of the accident are disputed, but include error of personnel and faulty equipment. All 26 passengers and crew of the Brazilian aircraft died. Of the 38 occupants of the American aircraft, only three survived. 24 June 1960: a Real Transportes Aéreos Convair CV-340 registration PP-YRB flying from Belo Horizonte-Pampulha to Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont crashed into Guanabara Bay in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro–Galeão due to unknown causes. All 54 passengers and crew died. 12 April 1972: a VASP NAMC YS-11A registration PP-SMI flying from São Paulo–Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont flew into the side of a mountain while on descent 50 km north of Rio de Janeiro due to pilot mistake. All 25 passengers and crew died. 23 October 1973: a VASP NAMC YS-11A registration PP-SMJ flying from Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont to Belo Horizonte-Pampulha aborted its takeoff, overran the runway, and slid into Guanabara Bay. Of the 65 passengers and crew, 8 passengers died. Incidents 2 December 1959: a Panair do Brasil Lockheed L-049/149 Constellation registration PP-PCR operating as Flight 246 en route from Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont to Belém-Val de Cans with 44 passengers and crew aboard was seized and hijacked by officers of the Brazilian Air Force and forced to land at Aragarças, Goiás. Their intention was to use the aircraft in a bombing of Government buildings in Rio de Janeiro, and by thus starting a revolt against President Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira. The revolt faded after 36 hours, and the aircraft was commanded to fly to Buenos Aires where the hijackers requested asylum. There were no casualties. 31 October 1966: a VASP Vickers Viscount registration PP-SRM, was damaged beyond repair when it overran the runway. 8 December 1967: a Brazilian Air Force Vickers Viscount registration FAB2100 was written off when its undercarriage malfunctioned. Access The airport is located adjacent to downtown Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro Light Rail has a station at the airport connecting the terminal with downtown area, the subway system, the Olympic Boulevard and the Central Bus Station. See also List of airports in Brazil References External links Airports in Rio de Janeiro (city) Airports in Rio de Janeiro (state) Airports established in 1936 Transport in Rio de Janeiro (city) Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in South America