What happened
On January 28, 1986, VASP Flight 210 was scheduled as a domestic service connecting Guarulhos to Belo Horizonte. The aircraft involved was registered PT-SPK and operated by Viação Aérea São Paulo (VASP). During the ground operations at Guarulhos Airport, the flight crew made a critical navigational error. Instead of entering the active runway for departure, the aircraft mistakenly taxied onto an adjacent taxiway.
While attempting to take off from this incorrect location, the aircraft ran off the end of the taxiway. It subsequently collided with a nearby embankment. The impact caused significant damage to the airframe and resulted in casualties among those on board. Specifically, one passenger was killed in the incident, while nine other passengers sustained injuries.
Investigation
The available records indicate that the primary factor leading to the accident was the crew's failure to correctly identify the taxiway during ground operations. The aircraft was not aligned with the designated runway for departure, which led to the premature and unauthorized attempt at takeoff from a non-operational surface. No further details regarding mechanical failure or weather conditions are provided in the source material.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by human error during the taxiing phase. The crew's misidentification of the correct path led to the collision with the embankment. This incident highlights the importance of precise navigation and adherence to ground control instructions during pre-flight procedures.