Accident Overview
An airplane operating a multi-leg flight from Belém to Cachimbo Airport, with an intermediate stop in Jacareacanga, encountered difficulties during the second leg. The crew reported a technical problem with the radiocompas to ground control and was cleared to return to Jacareacanga.
Loss of Orientation and Diversion
Flying at night and lacking ground reference points, the crew lost orientation and could not locate Jacareacanga Airport. The captain then informed ground that he would attempt to divert to Manaus, but was eventually forced to execute an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion.
Crash and Wreckage
During the emergency landing, the airplane struck trees, stalled, and crashed into a swampy area in the region of Coari. When the airplane failed to arrive at Cachimbo Airport, search and rescue operations were initiated. The wreckage was located ten days later in an isolated area.
Occupants
Five occupants were found alive, while 20 others were killed.
Probable Cause
The official findings state that the accident was caused by an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion resulting from a radiocompas failure in flight.