Incident Overview
An aircraft returning to Manaus (Ponta Pelada AFB) experienced an engine fire during takeoff roll. The crew consisted of 12 members and 131 Brazilian soldiers who had participated in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (UNSTAMIH). The captain aborted the takeoff and performed emergency braking. The aircraft veered off the left side of runway 28 onto a grassy area, where the nose gear was torn off. The aircraft slid for several meters before coming to rest. All 143 occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Sequence of Events
During the takeoff roll on runway 28, an engine caught fire. The captain immediately aborted the takeoff procedure and initiated emergency braking. The aircraft departed the runway to the left and entered the grass. The nose gear separated from the aircraft as it slid across the terrain. The aircraft continued sliding for several meters until it stopped.
Occupant Evacuation
Following the incident, all 143 occupants—12 crew and 131 soldiers—evacuated the aircraft safely. No injuries were reported. The evacuation was successful and timely.
Damage Assessment
The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair due to the runway excursion and the failure of the nose landing gear.