Ponta Pelada Airport
Ponta Pelada Airport was the main airport of Manaus, Brazil, until 1976. Between 1970 and 1976, the facilities were shared with Manaus Air Force Base of the Brazilian Air Force. On March 31, 1976, all civilian operations were transferred to the newer Eduardo Gomes International Airport. During this transition, Ponta Pelada Airport was renamed Manaus Air Force Base handling military operations exclusively under the control of the Brazilian Air Force. History The following airlines once served the airport: Cruzeiro do Sul, Lóide Aéreo Nacional, Panair do Brasil, Real Transportes Aéreos, Transbrasil, Varig, VASP. Accidents and incidents 24 May 1952: a Lóide Aéreo Nacional Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando registration PP-LDE during take-off from Ponta Pelada Airport stalled when trying to return to the airport following an engine failure. It crashed into the Rio Negro. The 6 occupants died. 14 December 1962: a Panair do Brasil Lockheed L-049 Constellation registration PP-PDE en route from Belém-Val de Cans to Ponta Pelada Airport crashed in the jungle, during a night approach, due to unknown causes, approximately 45 km from Manaus at the location of Paraná da Eva. All 50 passengers and crew died. 8 October 1969: a Cruzeiro do Sul Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VI