What happened
During a takeoff roll on runway 28 at Ponta Pelada Air Force Base in Manaus, an engine on the aircraft caught fire. The flight crew immediately initiated an aborted takeoff procedure and applied emergency braking. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted left off the runway and moved into a nearby grassy area. The impact with the terrain caused the nose landing gear to be detached from the airframe. The aircraft continued to slide for a distance of several meters before coming to a complete stop.
There were 143 people on board, including a crew of 12 and 131 Brazilian soldiers who were returning from the United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti (UNSTAMIH). All 143 occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft without injury. While there were no fatalities, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
- An engine fire occurred during the initial takeoff phase.
- The aircraft veered off the runway during the aborted takeoff attempt.