View source for VASP

{{Short description|Defunct airline of São Paulo, Brazil (1933–2005)}}
{{About|a Brazilian airline}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline        = VASP Viação Aérea São Paulo
| logo           = VASP logo.svg
| logo_size      = 250
| IATA           = VP
| ICAO           = VSP
| callsign       = VASP
| parent         = Viação Aérea São Paulo
| founded        = {{start date|1933|11|04|df=yes}}
| commenced      = {{start date|1933|11|12|df=yes}}
| ceased         = {{end date|2005|01|27|df=yes}}
| headquarters   = [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport]], [[São Paulo]], São Paulo, Brazil
| hubs           = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport|São Paulo–Congonhas]]
  | [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo–Guarulhos]]}}
| focus_cities   =
| frequent_flyer =
| alliance       =
| subsidiaries   = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | VASPEX (São Paulo Airways Express/cargo)
  | [[Ecuatoriana de Aviación]]
  | Transportes Aéreos Neuquén
  | [[Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano]]}}
| fleet_size     = 
| destinations   = 
| website        = [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.vasp.com.br/ vasp.com.br]
| key_people     = Wagner Canhedo
}}

'''Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A''' (São Paulo Airways), better known as '''VASP''', was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building at [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport]] in [[São Paulo]], Brazil.<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''Flight International''. 30 March 1985. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%200990.html "130"]. Retrieved 17 June 2009. "Edificio VASP, Aeroporto de Congonhas, CEP-04368, Sao Paulo, Brazil"</ref> It had main bases at São Paulo's two major airports, [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport]] (CGH) and [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport]] (GRU).

==History==
[[File:NAMC YS-11A PP-SMN VASP SDU 08.05.72 edited-2.jpg|thumb|VASP operated the [[NAMC YS-11]] from 1969. This plane was arriving at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport in 1972.|alt=White-and-blue plane on the tarmac]]
[[File:Vickers Viscount 701 PP-SRN VASP S.Paulo Marte 06.04.75.jpg|thumb|VASP [[Vickers Viscount]] turboprop airliner|alt=A smaller white-and-blue plane]]
[[File:BAC 1-11 422EQ PP-SRT VASP Galeao 07.05.72 edited-3.jpg|thumb|VASP [[BAC 1-11]] at Rio Galeao in 1972|alt=Another plane on the tarmac, with steps down]]

The airline was established on 4 November 1933 by the state government of [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]], and began operations on 12 November of that year.<ref>{{cite book| author=Instituto Histórico-Cultural da Aeronáutica | title=História Geral da Aeronáutica Brasileira: de janeiro de 1956 a dezembro de 1966 da posse do Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira até as vésperas da Reforma Administrativa | place=Rio de Janeiro | publisher=INCAER | year=2014 | volume=5 | page=474 | language=pt}}</ref> VASP was the first airline to serve the interior of the state of São Paulo ([[São Paulo]]-[[São Carlos]]-[[São José do Rio Preto]] and [[São Paulo]]-[[Ribeirão Preto]]-[[Uberaba]]), with two [[Monospar ST-4]]s. At the beginning of the 1930s, it was the only carrier to operate with land planes in its service area, an advantage due to the lack of adequate non-coastal airports; many landing strips were improvised on flat pastures. The insistence on land planes led to the 1936 construction of one of Brazil's most important airports: [[Congonhas-São Paulo Airport|Congonhas]] in the city of São Paulo, far from the coast. During its early years, Congonhas Airport was popularly known as ''Campo da VASP'' ("VASP's airfield").<ref>{{cite web | url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/noticias/acervo,como-era-sao-paulo-sem-o-aeroporto-de-congonhas,8967,0.htm | title=Como era São Paulo sem o aeroporto de Congonhas | publisher=O Estado de S. Paulo (acervo) | language=pt | first=Rose | last=Saconi | date=2 April 2013 | access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

VASP bought [[Aerolloyd Iguassu]] in 1939, including a license to operate flights to the states of [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]] and [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]]. In 1962, VASP became a national airline when it acquired [[Lóide Aéreo Nacional]] and its license to operate nationwide.

VASP, [[Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul|Cruzeiro do Sul]] and [[Varig]] initiated [[Air shuttle|air-shuttle service]] between [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont]] and São Paulo-Congonhas airports on 6 July 1959, the first of its kind in the world. The three companies coordinated their schedules and operations, and shared revenue. The service was a direct response to competition from [[Real Transportes Aéreos]]. The idea, Air Bridge ({{lang|pt|Ponte Aérea}} in Portuguese), was inspired by the [[Berlin Blockade|Berlin Airlift]]. It was successful, continuing until 1999.<ref>{{cite book | first1=Gianfranco | last1=Beting | first2=Joelmir | last2=Beting | title = Varig: Eterna Pioneira | place = Porto Alegre and São Paulo | publisher= EDIPUCRS and Beting Books | year=2009 | isbn=978-85-7430-901-9 | language=pt | pages=83–84}}</ref> Flights initially operated on an hourly basis by [[Convair CV-240 family|Convair 240]] (Varig), [[Convair CV-240 family|Convair 340]] (Cruzeiro) and [[Saab 90 Scandia]] (VASP). In a few months the shuttle service led by Varig won the battle against Real, which was bought by Varig in 1961. [[Sadia Transportes Aéreos]] joined the service in 1968. It was operated exclusively between 1975 and 1992 by Varig's [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]], which for some time did not have the name "Varig" on the fuselage for neutrality.

Although it had been remarkably well-run for most of its life as a state-owned company, by the 1980s VASP was plagued by inefficiency, losses covered by state-capital injections, and a bloated payroll for political reasons. Under the Brazilian government's new [[Neoliberalism|neoliberal]] policies, VASP was privatized in 1990. A majority stake was bought by the VOE/Canhedo Group, a company formed by the Canhedo Group of Brasília and VASP employees.

Under Wagner Canhedo, its new owner and president, VASP quickly expanded operations in the country and created international routes. Until VASP's entry into the international market, Varig had been Brazil's sole international airline since 1965. After many years of mismanagement, financial losses, debt and bad credit, in 2002 it cancelled its international operations to concentrate on the domestic market. VASP had fallen from the second to fourth place in the Brazilian airline market by then, flying an aging fleet of [[Boeing 737]]s (most of them in the obsolete −200 series) and [[Airbus A300]]s.

The company faced its worst crisis in 2004 as new airlines rose in the country, which led to the suspension of service to many Brazilian cities and the cancellation of flights. As a result, the airline's domestic market share fell to 10 percent. On 27 January 2005, Brazilian civil-aviation regulator DAC grounded the airline from operating scheduled services pending a financial investigation. VASP was allowed to operate charter services until April 2005, giving it a chance to prove its financial stability and retain its air-operator certificate.

VASP had stopped flying altogether by December 2007, and was reduced to providing maintenance services to other airlines. Even during the worst of the company's troubles, its maintenance expertise and personnel had always been held in high regard. It had been operating under the new Brazilian bankruptcy law since July 2006, and had its recovery plan approved on 27 August of that year. However, VASP declared bankruptcy in 2008.

In October 2020, nine of the company's planes (seven [[Boeing 737-200]]s and two [[Airbus A300]]s) had been grounded at [[Congonhas-São Paulo Airport]] since 2005 and were badly weathered and dilapidated; they began to be dismantled and sold for scrap at auction. Each plane in its current condition was estimated to be worth 30,000 to 50,000 [[Brazilian real|Brazilian Reais]] (about US$6,000 to $10,000, as of 2025), considerably less than its monthly parking and storage fees. The company's fleet of 27 planes had been grounded in similar circumstances since 2005 at several Brazilian airports.

==Services==
===<span class="anchor" id="Services at time of closure"></span>At closure===
[[File:VASP Airbus A300 Aragao.jpg|thumb|[[Airbus A300]] at [[Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport]] in 1984|alt=Side view of a white-and-blue plane on the tarmac]]
In January 2005, VASP had domestic service to [[Santa Maria Airport (Sergipe)|Aracaju]], [[Belém/Val-de-Cans International Airport|Belém]], [[Brasília International Airport|Brasília]], [[Afonso Pena International Airport|Curitiba]], [[Fortaleza Airport|Fortaleza]], [[Foz do Iguaçu International Airport|Foz do Iguaçu]], [[Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport|Maceió]], [[Eduardo Gomes International Airport|Manaus]], [[Greater Natal International Airport|Natal]], [[Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport|Recife]], [[Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport|Rio de Janeiro–Galeão]], [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont]], [[Salvador Bahia Airport|Salvador]], [[Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport|São Luís]], [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport|São Paulo–Congonhas]], [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo–Guarulhos]], [[Teresina Airport|Teresina]] and [[Salgado Filho Porto Alegre International Airport|Porto Alegre]].

===<span class="anchor" id="Services ended before closure"></span>Before closure===
VASP had an extensive network covering virtually every major Brazilian city with an airport. During the 1990s, the airline also had international service [[Ministro Pistarini International Airport|Buenos Aires–Ezeiza]], [[Old Mariscal Sucre International Airport|Quito]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]], [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]], [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]], [[Gimpo International Airport|Seoul–Gimpo]], [[Mohammed V International Airport|Casablanca]], [[Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport|Barcelona]], [[Lisbon Airport|Lisbon]], [[Brussels Airport|Brussels]], [[Kansai International Airport|Osaka–Kansai]], [[Ellinikon International Airport|Athens]], [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]] and [[Zurich Airport|Zurich]].

==Fleet==
===Fleet history===
[[File:VASP MD-11 PP-SOW REC 1998-2-15.png|thumb|A VASP [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]] at [[Recife Airport]] in 1998|alt=A larger white-and-blue plane]]
[[File:DC6Vasp-01.jpg|thumb|Former VASP DC6 at the [[Bebedouro]] Museum, the only example of this model to operate in Brazil|alt=A large, weathered plane outdoors]]
[[File:VASP Vickers Viscount 827 Volpati-1.jpg|thumb|A VASP Vickers Viscount 800 at [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport]] in 1973|alt=An older white-and-blue plane on the tarmac]]
[[File:VASP Boeing 737-200Adv PP-SPI REC 1998-2-15.png|thumb|A VASP [[Boeing 737-200 Advanced]] at [[Recife Airport]] in 1998|alt=A large blue-and-white plane on the tarmac, seen from the front]]
VASP had the following aircraft:<ref name="Fleet1999">"[https://web.archive.org/web/19990128191150/http://vasp.com.br/ifrota.htm Fleet]." (28 January 1999) VASP. Retrieved 6 September 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerobernie.bplaced.net/VASP.html|title=VASP fleet|website=aerobernie.bplaced.net|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|+ VASP fleet
|- 
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|[[Airbus A300B2]]
|3
|1982
|2005
|
|-
|[[Airbus A310-300]]
|1
|1997
|1997
|Leased from [[Ecuatoriana de Aviación]]
|-
|[[BAC One-Eleven|BAC One-Eleven Series 400]]
|2
|1967
|1974
|
|-
|[[Boeing 707-320C]]
|3
|1992
|1995
|
|-
|[[Boeing 727-100C]]
|2
|1979
|1981
|
|-
|[[Boeing 727-200]]
|13
|1977
|2005
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-200]]
|41
|1969
|2005
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-300]]
|26
|1986
|2005
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-400]]
|3
|1991
|1992
|
|-
|[[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]
|14
|1962
|1973
|
|-
|[[de Havilland Dragon]]
|1
|1934
|1941
|
|-
|[[de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver]]
|1
|1951
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]
|9
|1946
|1981
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster]]
|8
|1962
|1970
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-3]]
|3
|1951
|1962
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-6A]]
|4
|1962
|1977
|
|-
|[[Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante]]
|10
|1973
|1992
|
|-
|[[General Aircraft Monospar|GAL ST4 Monospar]]
|2
|1933
|1944
|
|-
|[[Junkers Ju 52]]
|7
|1937
|1957
|
|-
|[[Learjet 35A]]
|1
|1991
|1996
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30]]
|6
|1991
|1996
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]]
|9
|1992
|2001
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-11|McDonnell Douglas MD-11ER]]
|1
|1998
|1998
|Leased from [[World Airways]]
|-
|[[NAMC YS-11A]]
|8
|1968
|1977
|
|-
|[[Saab 90 Scandia]]
|18
|1950
|1969
|
|-
|[[Vickers Viscount|Vickers Viscount 700]]
|10
|1962
|1975
|
|-
|Vickers Viscount 800
|6
|1958
|1975
|
|-
|}

===Fleet in 1970===
{|class="wikitable"
|+ 1970 fleet<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1970/1970%20-%200558.html Flight International 26 March 1970]</ref>
|- 
!Aircraft
!Total
!Notes
|-
|[[BAC One-Eleven]] 400
|22
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737]]
|50
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-3]]
|30
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-6A]]
|4
|
|-
|[[Vickers Viscount]] 700
|32
|
|-
|Vickers Viscount 800
|24
|
|-
|[[NAMC YS-11]]
|7
|
|-
|''Total''
|124
|
|}
{{clear}}

==VASPEX==
[[File:Boeing 727-264-Adv(F), VASPEX AN0198854.jpg|thumb|VASPEX [[Boeing 727-200F]] at [[Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport]] in 1988|alt=A cargo plane on the tarmac]]

VASPEX, VASP's cargo subsidiary, filed for bankruptcy and went bankrupt with VASP on September 4, 2008. It operated the Boeing 727 and 737-200 throughout Brazil.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Vasp brand auction fails|journal=Valor Econômico|date=29 July 2014 |url=http://www.valor.com.br/legislacao/3629604/leilao-de-marcas-da-vasp-fracassa|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tmabrasil.org/pt-br/materias/noticias-na-midia/leilao-de-marcas-da-vasp-fracassa|title=Vasp brand auction fails|date=2015-01-23|access-date=2016-12-30|publisher=TMA Brasil|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123040347/http://www.tmabrasil.org/pt-br/materias/noticias-na-midia/leilao-de-marcas-da-vasp-fracassa|archive-date=23 January 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>

===VASPEX fleet===
{|class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center;margin:1em auto;"
|+ VASPEX fleet
|- 
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|[[Boeing 727-200F]]
|12
|1996
|2005
|
|-
|Boeing 737-200F
|8
|1993
|2005
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-63F]]
|1
|1993
|1993
|Leased from [[Arrow Air]]
|-
|Douglas DC-8-71F
|3
|1991
|1993
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30CF]]
|1
|1997
|1998
|Leased from [[World Airways]]
|}

==<span class="anchor" id="Curiosities"></span>Exhibit==
The third ex-VASP B737, the first operator of the Boeing model in Brazil, is at Auto Shopping Só Marcas in [[Contagem]] near the Belo Horizonte border. With the old license plate PP-SMC, the B737-200 was manufactured in 1969 and flew on VASP until the company closed. It remained at [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport]] for several years before it was bought at auction by the shopping-center owner.

The plane has been the scene of several events, and was used in propaganda by the [[Workers' Party (Brazil)|Workers' Party]] (PT) in 2022; a girl who decorated it with World Cup stickers. It was the backdrop for a March 18, 2023 Red Room nighttime event with German DJ Emanuel Satie and Brazilian DJ Jessica Brankka.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aeroin.net/boeing-737-da-vasp-e-grafitado-de-vermelho-e-vira-palco-de-musica-eletronica-em-minas/|title=Boeing 737 da VASP é grafitado de vermelho e vira palco de música eletrônica em Minas|website=aeroin|date=10 March 2023 |access-date=March 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aeroin.net/garota-mineira-enche-toda-a-lateral-de-um-boeing-737-com-175-mil-figurinhas-da-copa-do-mundo/|title=Garota mineira enche toda a lateral de um Boeing 737 com 175 mil figurinhas da Copa do Mundo|website=aeroin|date=26 November 2022 |access-date=March 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aeroin.net/empresario-teria-homenageado-lula-com-aviao-boeing-737-presidencial-personalizado/|title=eria um empresário homenageado Lula com um Boeing 737 personalizado?|website=aeroin|date=12 May 2022 |access-date=March 10, 2023}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
===Accidents===
* 8 November 1940: a [[Junkers Ju 52|Junkers Ju 52/3mg3e]] (registration PP-SPF) taking off from [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont]] to [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport|São Paulo-Congonhas]] collided on mid-air with a [[de Havilland Dragonfly]] (registration LV-KAB) belonging to the [[Shell-Mex and BP|Anglo Mexican Petroleum Company (Shell-Mex)]] which was preparing for a water landing in front of [[:pt:Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro|Fluminense Yacht Club]] (present-day Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club in [[Botafogo]]). Both aircraft crashed, killing all 14 passengers and four crew on the VASP aircraft and the pilot of the Shell-Mex aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/341836 | title=Accident description PP-SPF | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928-1996 | chapter=Vizinhança perigosa | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=33–36 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 27 August 1943: a Junkers Ju 52/3mg3e (registration PP-SPD) flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont struck a [[Naval School (Brazil)|Naval Academy]] building near the airport shortly after a second attempt to land at Rio in fog. The aircraft broke in two, and one part fell in the water. Of the 21 passengers and crew, three survived.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/340751 | title=Accident description PP-SPD | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=17 August 2011}}</ref><!--ASN data is incorrect. Origin was CGH destination SDU--><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=Colisão com a Escola Naval | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=54–60 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 13 December 1950: a [[Douglas DC-3|Douglas C-47A]] (registration PP-SPT) on an initial climb from [[Londrina Airport|Londrina]] lost engine power, crashed and caught fire. There were 3 ground fatalities.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/336006 | title=Accident description PP-SPT | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=28 July 2011}}</ref>
* 18 May 1951: a [[Douglas DC-3|Douglas C-47B]] (registration PP-SPL) en route from [[Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo]] to [[Presidente Prudente Airport|Presidente Prudente]] hit high ground while flying in bad weather. All six passengers and crew died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/335877 | title=Accident description PP-SPL | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=18 May 2011}}</ref>
* 8 September 1951: a [[Douglas DC-3|Douglas C-47B]] (registration PP-SPQ) struck a house after take-off from São Paulo-Congonhas and crashed. Thirteen passengers and crew and three people on the ground died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/335793 | title=Accident description PP-SPQ | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=18 August 2011}}</ref>
* 13 May 1952: a [[Douglas DC-3|Douglas C-47B]] (registration PP-SPM) pilot flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to [[Bauru Airport|Bauru]] lost control when carrying out an emergency landing after an engine failure. Two crew members and three passengers died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/335594 | title=Accident description PP-SPM | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=20 May 2011}}</ref>
* 30 December 1958: a [[Saab 90 Scandia|Saab Scandia 90A]] (registration PP-SQE) flying from [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont]] to São Paulo-Congonhas during a climb after take-off experienced engine failure. The pilot began to return to the airport, but during the second turn the aircraft stalled and crashed into [[Guanabara Bay]]. Of the 34 passengers and crew aboard, 20 died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/334099 | title=Accident description PP-SQE | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=17 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=Ponte aérea das doze horas | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=171–173 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 23 September 1959: a Saab Scandia 90A (registration PP-SQV) en route from São Paulo-Congonhas to [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont]] during a climb after take-off did not gain enough height and crashed {{frac|1|1|2}} minutes out of São Paulo, killing all 20 passengers and crew.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/333940 | title=Accident description PP-SQV | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=18 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=Falha de motor na decolagem | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=177–181 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 22 December 1959: a [[Vickers Viscount|Vickers Viscount 800]] (registration PP-SRG) operating as Flight 233 on approach to [[Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport|Rio de Janeiro-Galeão]] was involved in a mid-air collision with a [[Brazilian Air Force]] [[Fokker S-11|Fokker S-11 (T-21)]] (serial number FAB0742) near [[Manguinhos Airport]]. All 32 people aboard the Viscount were killed, in addition to ten on the ground. The T-21 pilot parachuted to safety. The accident led to the eventual closure of Manguinhos Airport.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/333884 | title=Accident description PP-SRG and FAB0742 | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref><!--The ASN data is incorrect--><ref>{{cite book | first=Aldo | last=Pereira | title=Breve História da Aviação Comercial Brasileira | place=Rio de Janeiro | publisher=Europa | year=1987 | pages=205–206 | language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=Reportagem derradeira | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=177–181 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 26 November 1962: a Saab Scandia 90A (registration PP-SRA) en route from São Paulo-Congonhas to [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont]] collided in the air over [[Paraibuna]] with a private [[Cessna 310]] (registration PT-BRQ) en route from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to [[Campo de Marte Airport|São Paulo-Campo de Marte]]. Both were flying on the same [[Airway (aviation)|airway]] (AB-6) in opposite directions, and did not have visual contact. The crash killed all 23 passengers and crew of the Saab and four occupants of the Cessna.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/333195 | title=Accident description PP-SRA and PT-BRQ | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=No céu de Paraibuna | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=214–216 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 4 September 1964: a [[Vickers Viscount|Vickers Viscount 701C]] (registration PP-SRR) operating flight 141 from [[Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport|Vitória]] to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont [[VASP Flight 141|collided with a mountain]] over [[Nova Friburgo]] while flying away from the intended track. All 39 passengers and crew died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/332809 | title=Accident description PP-SRR | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=16 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=A montanha trágica | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=243–248 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 3 March 1965: a Vickers Viscount (registration PP-SRQ) was damaged beyond repair at Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport when the aircraft left the runway during a simulated engine failure on take-off.<ref name=ASN030365>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/332694 |title=Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=11 September 2009}}</ref>
* 31 October 1966: a Vickers Viscount (registration PP-SRM) was damaged beyond repair when it overran the runway at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport.<ref name=ASN311066>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/332279 |title=Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=11 September 2009}}</ref>
* 15 September 1968: a Vickers Viscount (registration PP-SRE) crashed at [[São Paulo]] on a crew-training flight. One of the two crew members was killed.<ref name=ASN150968>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/331759 |title=Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=11 September 2009}}</ref>
* 11 January 1969: a [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47A]] (registration PP-SPR) was damaged beyond repair at [[Loanda, Paraná]].<ref name=ASN110169>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/331643 |title=PP-SPR Accident Description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=23 January 2011}}</ref>
* 14 September 1969: a [[Douglas DC-3|Douglas C-47B]] (registration PP-SPP) operating flight 555 took off from [[Londrina Airport|Londrina]] to São Paulo-Congonhas. Due to a [[Propeller (aeronautics)#Feathering|feathered propeller]], it had to return. On approach for landing, the aircraft made a sharp left turn and crashed. All 20 passengers and crew died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/331375 | title=Accident description PP-SPP | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=23 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=Arremetida monomotor | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=262–266 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 12 April 1972: a [[NAMC YS-11|NAMC YS-11A]] (registration PP-SMI) flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont flew into a mountain on descent 50&nbsp;km north of Rio de Janeiro due to pilot error. All 25 passengers and crew died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/330546 | title=Accident description PP-SMI | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=18 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=O Samurai desaparecido | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=274–278 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 29 January 1973: a [[Douglas C-47]] (registration PP-SQA) crashed on landing at [[Rondonópolis Airport]].<ref name=ASN290173>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/330273 |title=PP-SQA Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=26 August 2010}}</ref>
* 15 May 1973: a [[Vickers Viscount]] (registration PP-SRD) was damaged beyond economic repair when it departed the runway on landing at [[Salvador Bahia Airport|Salvador Airport]] and the undercarriage collapsed.<ref name=ASN150573>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/ |title=Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=8 October 2009}}</ref>
* 23 October 1973: a NAMC YS-11A (registration PP-SMJ) flying from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to [[Carlos Drummond de Andrade Airport|Belo Horizonte-Pampulha]] overran the runway during an aborted take-off and slid into [[Guanabara Bay]]. Of the 65 passengers and crew, eight passengers died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/330059 | title=Accident description PP-SMJ | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=Dia do aviador | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=291–293 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 27 February 1975: an [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante]] (registration PP-SBE) operating Flight 640 from São Paulo-Congonhas to [[Bauru Airport|Bauru]] and [[Araçatuba Airport|Araçatuba]] crashed after take-off from Congonhas. Both crew members and 13 passengers died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/329687 | title=Accident description PP-SBE | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=20 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=O primeiro Bandeirante | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=294–301 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 25 May 1982: [[VASP Flight 234]], a [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200]] (registered as PP-SMY), made a hard landing (nose gear first) at [[Brasília International Airport|Brasília]] during rain. The gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded off the runway, breaking in two. Two passengers of 118 occupants died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/327864 | title=Accident description PP-SMY | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>
* 8 June 1982: a [[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-200]] (registration PP-SRK) operating [[VASP Flight 168|Flight 168]] from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to [[Fortaleza Airport|Fortaleza]] collided with a mountain on approach to Fortaleza. The captain descended below the [[Instrument approach#Minimum descent altitude (MDA)|minimum descent altitude]], and all 137 passengers and crew died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/327850 | title=Accident description PP-SRK | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=12 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Carlos Ari César | last=Germano da Silva | title=O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 | chapter=VASP 168 | publisher=EDIPUCRS | edition=2 | place=Porto Alegre | year=2008 | pages=318–326 | isbn=978-85-7430-760-2 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 28 January 1986: [[VASP Flight 210]] flying from [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo-Guarulhos]] to [[Belo Horizonte]] unknowingly tried to take off from Guarulhos in foggy conditions from a [[taxiway]]. The take-off was aborted but the aircraft overran, collided with a dyke and broke in two. One passenger died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/327059 | title=Accident description PP-SME | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=6 August 2011}}</ref>
* 22 June 1992: a cargo Boeing 737-200C (registration PP-SND) en route from [[Presidente Médici International Airport|Rio Branco]] to [[Cruzeiro do Sul International Airport|Cruzeiro do Sul]] crashed in the jungle on arrival at Cruzeiro do Sul. The two-person crew and one occupant died.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/325513 | title=Accident description PP-SND | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=16 June 2011}}</ref>

===Incidents===
* 25 April 1970: a [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-2A1]] en route from [[Brasília International Airport|Brasília]] to [[Ponta Pelada Airport|Manaus-Ponta Pelada]] was hijacked by a person who demanded to be flown to [[Cuba]]. The hijack lasted a day.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/331153 | title=Incident description Vasp April 25, 1970 | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>
* 14 May 1970: a Boeing 737-2A1 en route from Brasília to Manaus-Ponta Pelada was hijacked by a person who demanded to be flown to Cuba]. The hijack lasted a day.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/331132 | title=Incident description Vasp May 14, 1970 | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>
* 22 February 1975: a Boeing 737-2A1 (registration PP-SMU) en route from [[Goiânia International Airport|Goiânia]] to Brasília was hijacked by a person who demanded ransom. The hijacker was taken down.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/329693 | title=Incident description PP-SMU | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>
* 29 September 1988: a Boeing 737-300 (registration PP-SNT) operating [[VASP Flight 375|Flight 375]] en route from [[Governador Jorge Teixeira de Oliveira International Airport|Porto Velho]] to [[Rio de Janeiro]] via [[Brasília International Airport|Brasília]], Goiânia and [[Belo Horizonte International Airport|Belo Horizonte-Confins]] was hijacked by one person on the final leg of the flight. The hijacker wanted to force a crash into the [[Palácio do Planalto]], the presidential workplace in [[Brasília]]. The pilot convinced the hijacker to divert to Goiânia, where an emergency landing was made. The hijack ended with one victim.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/326458 | title=Incident description PP-SNT | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://veja.abril.com.br/acervodigital/home.aspx?cod=JQGQPQOOI8 | title=Sangue no vôo 375 | publisher=Abril: Veja | date=5 October 1988 | access-date=16 May 2011 | language=pt}}</ref>
* 18 August 2000: a Boeing 737-2A1 (registration PP-SMG) en route from [[Foz do Iguaçu International Airport|Foz do Iguaçu]] to [[Afonso Pena International Airport|Curitiba-Afonso Pena]] and on to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão, Brasília, and [[Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport|São Luís]] was hijacked by five people with the purpose of robbing {{R$|5 million|link=yes}} (approximately US$2.75 million) that the aircraft was transporting. The pilot was forced to land at [[Porecatu Airport|Porecatu]], where the hijackers fled with the money. There were no casualties.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/323445 | title=Incident description PP-SMG | publisher=Aviation Safety Network | access-date=7 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/cotidiano/ult95u8102.shtml | title=PF liga sequestro de avião da VASP à rebelião em penitenciária em Roraima | publisher=Folha Online | date=21 August 2000 | access-date=7 May 2011 | language=pt | first=José | last=Maschio}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of defunct airlines of Brazil]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Viação Aérea São Paulo}}
* [https://asn.flightsafety.org/database/operators/4637 VASP accidents as per Aviation Safety Network]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/vasp.com.br/iindex.htm Archive of VASP pages] {{in lang|en}} (1998–2000)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.vasp.com.br/ Archive of VASP pages] {{in lang|pt}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.vaspex.com.br/ VASPEX] (archive) {{in lang|pt}}

{{Portalbar|Brazil|Companies|Aviation|Transport}}
{{Airlines of Brazil}}

[[Category:VASP| ]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of Brazil]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1933]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2005]]