Vilhena | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

En route from Campo Grande to Vilhena, while in cruising altitude, the crew received the last weather bulletin about Vilhena with conditions below minimums. The copilot (under line check on this flight) suggested to divert to the alternate airport but the captain/instructor preferred to attempt an approach via Echo 1 and the NDB for runway 03. If visual contact would not be established at decision height, the crew would divert to the alternate airport. Then the copilot set the decision height at 2,500 feet which was wrong as the correct decision height was fixed at 2,560 feet. Nor the copilot nor the captain realized this mistake prior to start the descent to Vilhena Airport. On approach, the copilot was told by captain to monitor the horizon. He focused his attention on the horizon and failed to monitor the altimer. On his side, the captain elected to establish a visual contact with the ground and the runway light but is was later confirmed that the city of Vilhena suffered a general blackout. On final, the aircraft descended below MDA then struck trees and crashed less than one km from the runway threshold, bursting into flames. All 16 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

The following findings were identified:
- Poor crew coordination,
- Wrong approach configuration,
- The crew's attention was focused on their respective tasks without monitoring the approach configuration, causing the aircraft to descent below the glide,
- The captain/instructor failed to supervise properly the copilot's manoeuvres,
- No approach briefing,
- Lack of visibility due to a general blackout.

Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110C Bandeirante in Tangará da Serra: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1993 at 1750 LT

Type of aircraft:

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

Operator:

Registration:

PP-SBJ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cuiabá – Vilhena – Rondônia

MSN:

110-037

YOM:

1975

Flight number:

TAM558

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12692

Captain / Total hours on type:

3532.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

610

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Aircraft flight hours:

31025

Circumstances:

About 42 minutes after takeoff from Cuiabá Airport, while cruising at 10,000 feet, the captain obtained the permission to reduce his altitude to 8,000 feet to avoid a low pressure area with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. Few seconds later, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Tangará da Serra. All four passengers and both pilots were killed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.

Probable cause:

Poor flight preparation on part of the flying crew who did not take into consideration the probability for an enroute deterioration of the weather conditions. Investigations revealed that the loss of control was probably caused by a spatial disorientation of the pilot in command who was unable to establish his correct position due to poor visibility caused by heavy rain falls. The following factors may have contribute to the loss of control by the captain: disease, visual and hearing impairment, arteriosclerosis, obesity and heart problems.

Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110P Bandeirante in Vilhena

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1988

Type of aircraft:

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

Operator:

Registration:

PT-GJQ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

110-084

YOM:

1975

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Vilhena Airport, the crew was completing a last turn to join the approach path when the aircraft stalled and crashed about 2 km short of runway threshold. All 13 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the aircraft's speed was too low during the last sharp turn, causing the aircraft to stall and crash.