What happened
On August 3, 2014, at approximately 0910 UTC, an Embraer 720C (a design based on the Piper PA-32-300) crashed during the takeoff phase of flight from Balsas Airport (SNBS) in Maranhao, Brazil. The aircraft, registration PT-WPH, was being operated by a private individual on a personal flight. The flight was intended to travel from Balsas to Teresina/Senador P. Portella Airport (SBTE) in Piaui, Brazil.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were within visual meteorological conditions (VMC), and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. Following takeoff, the airplane lost altitude and struck a residence, which subsequently resulted in a postcrash fire. There were 5 fatal injuries involving the pilot and four passengers. No injuries to individuals on the ground were reported.