Region
South America

Crash of an Embraer EMB-121A Xingu in Chapecó: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1997 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer EMB-121 Xingu
Operator:
Registration:
PP-EHJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Porto Alegre – Chapecó
MSN:
121-027
YOM:
1980
Location:
Chapecó-Serafim Enoss Bertaso
Santa Catarina
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
288.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4254
Copilot / Total hours on type:
320
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing an ambulance flight from Porto Alegre to Chapecó, carrying five doctors and two pilots. On approach to Chapecó-Serafim Enoss Bertaso Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On final, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 2,5 km short of runway 29. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed. Few hours later, the only survivor died from his injuries.
Probable cause:
The crew continued the approach at an unsafe altitude for unknown reasons. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor, which was considered as a contributing factor as well as the lack of crew training.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 550 Citation II in Cocal do Sul: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1997 at 1925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 550 Citation II
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LML
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Porto Alegre - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
550-0013
YOM:
1978
Location:
Cocal do Sul
Santa Catarina
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On a flight from Porto Alegre to Rio de Janeiro, while cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The crew did not send any distress call. The aircraft descended with a rate of 20,000 feet per minute. At an altitude of 1,500 feet, it disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures, did not follow the pre-departure checklist and failed to verify the position of the pressurization mode selector prior to take off. At an altitude of 33,000 feet, after suffering hypoxia, both pilot lost consciousness and situational awareness. Maybe one of them fell and the control column, causing the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled descent.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer C-95B Bandeirante in Delfim Moreira: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1997 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer C-95 Bandeirante
Operator:
Registration:
2310
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Resende - Guaratinguetá
MSN:
110-317
YOM:
1980
Location:
Delfim Moreira
Minas Gerais
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Resende Airport with 12 paratroopers and four crew members on board. Few minutes after takeoff, all 12 passengers jumped out and the crew continued to Guaratinguetá. While descending to Guaratinguetá Airport, the crew was informed by ATC about poor weather conditions at destination and was instructed to divert to São José dos Campos Airport. The crew initiated a go-around procedure but failed to follow the published go-around procedure and initiated a turn to the wrong direction when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Alto Cerco (1,500 metres high) located about 30 km north of Guaratinguetá Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to follow the published procedures and initiated a turn to the wrong direction for unknown reasons. The lack of visibility due to mist was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1997 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 500 Citation
Operator:
Registration:
PT-ILJ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – São José dos Campos
MSN:
500-0057
YOM:
1973
Location:
Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, the captain realized that all conditions were not met for a safe takeoff and decided to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest in the Guanabara Bay. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Garuva: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1997 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 690
Operator:
Registration:
PT-OFG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Curitiba - Joinville
MSN:
690-11274
YOM:
1975
Location:
Garuva
Santa Catarina
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1102
Captain / Total hours on type:
525.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
578
Copilot / Total hours on type:
398
Circumstances:
While approaching Joinville Airport at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the crew canceled his IFR flight plan and continued under VFR mode. Few minutes later, the crew encountered atmospheric turbulences and lost control of the aircraft that crashed near Gavura, about 24 km northwest of Joinville Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- Weather conditions were marginal with atmospheric turbulences,
- Loss of control after the captain exercised poor judgment about weather conditions and demonstrated overconfidence as he was trying to beat his speed record on this leg,
- Lack of administrative, technical and operational crew surveillance by the operator,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Excessive speed on descent,
- The radiosonde from the meteorology surveillance center based in Curitiba was unserviceable.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-820C Navajo in Jacobina: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1997 at 1245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer EMB-820 Navajo/Carajá
Operator:
Registration:
PT-ENI
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jacobina - Salvador
MSN:
820-068
YOM:
1978
Location:
Jacobina
Bahia
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
133
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Jacobina Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The crew initiated a sharp turn to the left when the aircraft lost height, struck an electric pole and crashed near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Poor crew training,
- Pool fuel consumption calculation on part of the crew,
- Wrong crew's decision to fly on one engine,
- Inappropriate of aircraft controls,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Poor flight planning.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-120RT Brasília in Vilhena

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1997 at 0044 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer EMB-120 Brasília
Operator:
Registration:
PT-MFC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Campo Grande - Vilhena
MSN:
120-206
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
PTN126
Location:
Vilhena
Rondônia
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9280
Captain / Total hours on type:
2501.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4153
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1988
Circumstances:
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 a Boeing 737-2C3 in Carajás: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1997 at 1234 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-200
Operator:
Registration:
PP-CJO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Belém – Marabá – Carajás – Brasília
MSN:
21013
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
RG265
Location:
Carajás-Parauapebas
Pará
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
48
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6138
Captain / Total hours on type:
2478.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1720
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1464
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Belém-Val de Cans Airport on a flight to Brasília with intermediate stops in Marabá and Carajás, carrying 48 passengers and a crew of six. The approach to Carajás-Parauapebas Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with rain falls, clouds down to 120 metres and a limited visibility due to rain and fog. On final the aircraft was unstable and landed hard on runway 10. On touchdown, the right main gear was torn off and the aircraft went out of control. It veered off runway to the right, collided with trees and eventually came to rest in a wooded area. The copilot was killed as the right side of the cockpit was destroyed upon impact. Ten other people were injured and 43 escaped unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Lack of crew coordination,
- The captain was overconfident,
- The copilot showed a lack of self confidence,
- The environment developed in the cockpit on approach allowed the pilots to deviate from the operational tasks primarily related to mutual controls,
- Poor approach and landing planning which required a higher sink rate than normal,
- The crew failed to make an approach briefing,
- Insufficient application of controls,
- The crew completed an unstable approach,
- Weather conditions were below minimums,
- The runway was not equipped with a lighting system but only with PAPIs,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure as the landing was obviously missed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 500 in Uberaba

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LAM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Uberaba – São Paulo
MSN:
10539
YOM:
1976
Location:
Uberaba
Minas Gerais
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Last January 9, the aircraft suffered a belly landing at Uberaba Airport while completing a local training flight. Following temporary repairs, it was decided to transfer the airplane to São Paulo for further controls. After the pressurization system was selected, the aircraft suffered additional damages to the fuselage and the crew was forced to return. The aircraft landed safely but was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Embraer P-95B Bandeirante in Caruaru: 9 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1996 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer C-95 Bandeirante
Operator:
Registration:
7102
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Salvador - Natal
MSN:
110-487
YOM:
1989
Location:
Caruaru
Pernambuco
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Salvador to Natal in formation with three other similar aircraft. En route, while in cruising altitude, the aircraft's tail was struck by the propeller of another aircraft positioned behind. A part of the tail detached and the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent before crashing, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed.
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