Paraense Transportes Aéreos
Paraense Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1952. It ceased operations in 1970. History Paraense Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline which was founded on February 18, 1952 by Antônio Alves Affonso Ramos Junior and made its maiden flight on March 30 of the same year, using a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina. Regular passenger and cargo flights started in 1957 using a Curtiss C-46 to fly from Belém to Rio de Janeiro via Pedro Afonso, Cristalândia and Brasília. In fact, Paraense was one of the first airlines to have regular services to Brasília, the new Brazilian capital, inaugurated in 1960. In 1960 it started the route São Paulo, Cuiabá, Porto Velho, Rio Branco. It had serious maintenance problems and after a series of accidents, particularly the one of March 14, 1970, all aircraft were grounded. On May 29, 1970, Paraense ceased operations. Fleet Accidents and incidents Accidents involving fatalities 31 May 1958: a cargo Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando registration PP-BTB crashed shortly after take-off from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont of unknown causes. The crew of 4 died. 6 May 1959: a Curtiss C-46/Super C-46 Commando registration PP-BTA crashed shortly after take-off from Belém-Val de Cans. Three crew members died. 22