Accident Details
The incident occurred during an approach to Brasília Airport. Weather conditions were poor due to rainfall, resulting in reduced visibility. The crew initiated the approach despite the adverse conditions.
Sequence of Events
On short final, the crew failed to recognize that the aircraft’s attitude was incorrect. The aircraft was in a nose-down attitude. It subsequently made contact with the runway in a hard landing. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse. The aircraft then went out of control, veering off the runway. It eventually came to rest, broken into two sections.
Injuries and Damage
The accident resulted in two passenger fatalities. A total of 20 occupants sustained injuries, while 96 others escaped uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, being broken in two.
Probable Cause
The official investigation stated that it is believed the crew suffered an optical illusion on short final.