Flight into Terrain in Rio Bonito Claims 19 Lives

Casualties unknown • RIO BONITO, RJ, BR

A LET-410 aircraft crashed into a mountain peak in Rio Bonito, Brazil, after the crew transitioned to visual flight rules in unfavorable weather conditions.

What happened

On March 31, 2006, a LET-410, registration PT-FSE, operated by TEAM (Transportes Especiais Aéreos e Malotes LTDA), departed Macaé Airport (SBME) at 20:21 UTC. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and 17 passengers on an IFR flight plan toward Santos Dumont Airport (SBRJ) at flight level 080.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew requested to cancel the IFR flight plan, opting to proceed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at a lower altitude of FL 0 and 45. During the flight, the crew requested a descent to 2,000 feet to avoid weather formations ahead. Near Saquarema, the crew notified air traffic control that they would perform a left turn toward the coast to bypass weather systems to the north.

At 20:46 UTC, air traffic controllers attempted to contact the aircraft but received no response. Subsequent attempts by APP-ES also went unanswered, triggering a search operation. The wreckage was located the following morning at Pico da Pedra Bonita in Rio Bonito, RJ. The impact with the terrain at approximately 1,920 feet resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and 19 fatalities.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the crew's decision to fly at low altitude under visual flight rules in weather conditions that precluded safe VFR operations, compounded by a lack of effective cockpit resource management and inadequate organizational oversight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2006-03-31 aircraft accident near RIO BONITO, RJ, BR?

A LET-410 aircraft crashed into a mountain peak in Rio Bonito, Brazil, after the crew transitioned to visual flight rules in unfavorable weather conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2006-03-31 involved a aircraft, registration PTFSE, at RIO BONITO, RJ, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew's decision to fly at low altitude under visual flight rules in weather conditions that precluded safe VFR operations, compounded by a lack of effective cockpit resource management and inadequate organizational oversight.

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