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137 fatalities

Captain Descends Below Prescribed Altitude, Strikes Mountain Near Fortaleza (PP-SRK)

Fortaleza, BrazilLanding (descent or approach)

On June 8, 1982, a Boeing 727-200 (registration PP-SRK) operated by VASP - Viação Aérea de São Paulo was involved in an aviation accident near Fortaleza, Brazil during landing or approach. 137 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: For unknown reasons, the captain continued the descent below 5,000 feet as instructed by ATC and ignored GPWS and pilot warnings. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 16 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Brazilian Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA)Updated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered PP-SRK
Aircraft registered PP-SRK. Photo: HELIO BASTOS SALMON / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A night descent to Fortaleza airport ended in disaster when the captain ignored altitude warnings and descended below 5,000 feet, causing the aircraft to collide with a wooded mountain. All 137 occupants perished.

Incident Overview

During a routine night flight from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport to Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport in Ceará, the flight crew initiated a descent as cleared by air traffic control (ATC) to 5,000 feet. While the captain faced the city lights, he descended below the prescribed altitude of 5,000 feet. Despite two altitude alert system warnings and a copilot's warning about mountains ahead, the captain continued the descent until the aircraft struck a wooded mountain in the Aratanha Mountain Range, approximately 26 km southwest of the airport.

Impact and Aftermath

The aircraft disintegrated upon impact. All 137 occupants on board were killed.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation identified the probable cause: For unknown reasons, the captain continued the descent below 5,000 feet as instructed by ATC and ignored GPWS and pilot warnings.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

Same operator

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Jun 1982 Boeing 727-200 accident near Fortaleza, Brazil?

A night descent to Fortaleza airport ended in disaster when the captain ignored altitude warnings and descended below 5,000 feet, causing the aircraft to collide with a wooded mountain. All 137 occupants perished.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Jun 1982 Boeing 727-200 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 137 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Jun 1982 involved a Boeing 727-200, registration PP-SRK, operated by VASP - Viação Aérea de São Paulo, at Fortaleza, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

For unknown reasons, the captain continued the descent below 5,000 feet as instructed by ATC and ignored GPWS and pilot warnings.

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