Crash of a Cessna 208A Caravan I near Sinop

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-OGN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gurupi – São Felix do Araguaia
MSN:
208-0020
YOM:
1985
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Gurupi to São Felix do Araguaia, the crew was hijacked by four of the six passengers. Two of the hijackers took over controls and landed on a small airstrip located in Fazenda Uirapuru near Sinop. On ground, both pilots and two passengers disembarked and the four hijackers took off immediately. Few seconds after take off, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, struck a tree and crashed in a ravine located 30 km from Sinop. All four hijackers disappeared and were not recovered. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Crashed in unknown circumstances after being hijacked.

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

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1993 at 1750 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SBJ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cuiabá – Vilhena – Rondônia
MSN:
110-037
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
TAM558
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
12692
Captain / Total hours on type:
3532.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
610
Copilot / Total hours on type:
18
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 a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 Marquise in Araxá

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1993 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-ICD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nova Ponte - Araxá
MSN:
215
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Araxá-Romeu Zema Airport runway 33, the twin engine aircraft touched down few dozen metres short of the new displaced threshold as there were construction road in the pre-threshold area. The left main gear struck an excavation and was torn off. The left wing and the left engine struck the ground and the aircraft veered off to the left and came to rest 200 metres further. All seven occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew landed prior to the new displaced threshold following a visual approach to runway 33. The new displaced threshold was Notamed and the crew was aware of it but for unknown reasons, there were no markings indicating the position of the new threshold.

Crash of a Beechcraft 100 King Air in Foz do Iguaçu: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-OQP
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Curitiba - Foz do Iguaçu
MSN:
B-7
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On approach to Foz do Iguaçu Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility and failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine aircraft struck tree tops and a powerline before crashing in a wooded area located one km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to heavy rain falls.

Crash of a Boeing 707-387B in Recife

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ISA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Maceió – Fortaleza
MSN:
19238
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
156
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Maceió to Fortaleza, while in cruising altitude, the crew reported hydraulic problems and was cleared to divert to Recife-Guararapes Airport for an emergency landing. On approach, the crew was forced to lower the gear manually but it was not possible to establish if they were locked down or not. In accordance with ATC, the crew completed a low pass over the airport and ATC confirmed all three gear were down. A second approach was completed and the aircraft landed smoothly. Nevertheless, following a course of few dozen metres, the right main gear 'collapsed' and entered its wheel well. The aircraft rolled to the right, veered off runway then struck a concrete block, causing the nose gear to collapse. All 168 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227B near Altamira: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LCS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Belém - Altamira
MSN:
522
YOM:
1966
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Belém, the crew lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in a jungle. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three crew members were killed. It was reported that several elements of the airplane were not found at the point of impact and that the aircraft may have suffered a in-flight break up following possible multiple structural failures.

Crash of a Cessna 550 Citation S/II in São Paulo

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1992 at 1205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LKT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
São Paulo - São Paulo
MSN:
550-0117
YOM:
1986
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed São Paulo-Congonhas Airport for a local training flight, carrying two pilots under supervision and two instructors. Weather conditions were marginal with ceiling down to 300 metres, horizontal visibility 3 km with rain. After touchdown on wet runway 17R, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, went down an embankment and came to rest. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Boeing 707-365C in Manaus

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1992 at 0226 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-TCP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Manaus - Miami
MSN:
19416
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After liftoff from Manaus-Eduardo Gomes Airport runway 28, while in initial climb, the right main gear struck an element of the approach light system. An alarm sounded in the cockpit, informing the crew about landing gear problems. As the crew was unable to raise the landing gear, the captain informed ATC about the situation and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Upon touchdown on runway 28, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres then veered off runway and came to rest in a ravine. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the crew adopted a wrong takeoff configuration and that the rate of climb and gradient were too low after takeoff (positive but insufficient vario), causing the aircraft to collide with an equipment of the approach light system.

Crash of an Embraer R-95 Bandeirante in Recife: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1992 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2243
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Recife - Recife
MSN:
110-138
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the Aviation Day and was involved in a demonstration mission on behalf of the 2nd Regional Air Command. On approach, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the garden of a military hospital located about 2 km from the airport. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft F90-1 King Air in Navegantes: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1992 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-OLP
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Itumbiara – Ituverava – Blumenau
MSN:
LA-220
YOM:
1984
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
8609
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6330
Circumstances:
While descending to Blumenau Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to divert to Navegantes-Itajaí Airport. On approach to runway 25, at low height, the captain initiated a left turn when the twin engine aircraft struck the top of a hill and crashed, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
On final approach in limited visibility due to poor weather conditions, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation.
Final Report: