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Crash of a Cessna C-98B Grand Caravan near Aldeias Aurélio: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 2009 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2725
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cruzeiro do Sul – Tabatinga
MSN:
208B-0534
YOM:
1996
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Cruzeiro do Sul on a special flight to Tabatinga, carrying 7 passengers and a crew of four taking part to a support mission of vaccination for the Ministry of Health. En route, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed between the villages of Aldeias Aurélio and Rio Novo, in the Rio Ituí, a tributary of the Rio Javari. Two passengers were killed while 9 other occupants were rescued a day later.

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227B in Tabatinga: 44 killed

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1982 at 0605 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LBV
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Eirunepé - Tabatinga
MSN:
536
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
44
Circumstances:
The approach to Tabatinga Airport was initiated by night and poor weather conditions. On final, the aircraft was too low and struck a pole. It lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all 44 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that at the time of the accident, the visibility was low due poor weather conditions. Due to a general electrical failure, the approach lights and runway lights were not functioning and the airport was not equipped with an emergency generator. Due to pressure caused by bad weather and the fact that the aircraft was short of fuel, the crew decided to attempt a visual approach in such conditions instead of diverting to the nearest airport of Leticia.