Cascavel | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed Cascavel Airport at 1158LT on a schedule service (flight PTB2283) to São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport, carrying 58 passengers and a crew of four. While flying at FL170, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a relative flat attitude in a private garden, nearby a villa located in the city of Capela, west of Vinhedo, some 69 km northwest of Guarulhos Airport. A fire erupted after the crash. All 62 occupants have been killed. Significant variations were noted with the aircraft' speed during the entire flight, while the altitude remained stable until the loss of control. Severe icing conditions were reported between FL120 and FL210.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110P Bandeirante in Cascavel

Date & Time: May 19, 2010 at 0510 LT

Type of aircraft:

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

Operator:

Registration:

PT-GKQ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sorocaba – Cascavel

MSN:

110125

YOM:

1976

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6879

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

1121

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Sorocaba on a cargo flight to Cascavel, carrying two pilots and a load consisting of pharmaceutical materials. On final approach in low visibility due to bad weather conditions and night, the aircraft descended below the glide and impacted the ground 700 metres short of runway 33. On impact, it lost its undercarriage then slid for 150 metres before coming to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Visibility at the time of the accident was 1,200 metres with mist, local patches of fog and ceiling at 100 feet. Cascavel Airport was equipped with an NDB only.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low in IMC conditions. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Visibility was below minimums,
- The crew continued the descent until the aircraft impacted ground and failed to initiate a go-around procedure,
- A probable crew fatigue,
- It is possible that the crew suffered optical illusions,
- Overconfidence on part of the captain,
- The captain did not request any assistance from the copilot during the approach procedure,
- Inexperienced, the copilot did not interfere despite dangerous flight conditions,
- Poor organizational culture,
- Deficiencies in crew training,
- Lack of crew discipline,
- Poor flight planning,
- Lack of supervision on part of the operator,
- The copilot was inexperienced on this type of aircraft.

Final Report: