Disappearance of a Twin-Engine Aircraft on a Special Survey Flight from Rio de Janeiro to Campinas (PT-KHK)

Flight Details and Departure A twin-engine aircraft departed Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport at 1231 local time on a special flight to Campinas-Viracopos. The aircraft was carrying six passengers and one pilot. The mission was a survey flight conducted on behalf of the Rondon Project (Projeto Rondon) of the Ministry of Defence. ## Final Radio Contact and Loss of Communication At 1251 local time, the pilot cancelled the aircraft's IFR flight plan and informed air traffic control that the flight would continue under VFR mode. This transmission was the last radio contact received from the aircraft. ## Search and Rescue Operations Because the aircraft did not land at Viracopos Airport, search and rescue operations were initiated. The search continued for 19 days before being abandoned. No trace of the aircraft or its seven occupants was found.