Latécoère 631 F-BANT

Latécoère 631 F-BANT
Product Details

• The Latécoère 631 F-BANT holds a significant place in aviation history due to its impressive size and transatlantic capabilities. It first flew on March 7, 1945, and Air France operated it, using six Wright Cyclone engines for power. Starting in July 1947, it primarily flew between Biscarrosse, Port-Étienne, and Fort-de-France.

  However, the most notable incident happened on October 31, 1945, during a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo and Buenos Aires. During this flight, a catastrophic propeller failure on engine number 3 led to debris striking engine number 2 and a severe breach in the cabin. Consequently, this incident tragically resulted in the deaths of two passengers.

  After the accident, the aircraft managed an emergency landing in Laguna de Rocha, Uruguay. They repaired it and returned it to service. Despite its advanced design and capabilities, the Latécoère 631 series, including F-BANT, faced challenges related to reliability and operational costs. Therefore, these factors ultimately led to its limited success in commercial aviation.

  Nevertheless, this historical aircraft remains a fascinating subject for aviation enthusiasts and a testament to the engineering ambitions of its era.