Background
The aircraft, registration 43-48758, was recently owned and operated by the US Air Force (USAF). It had been involved in an accident and was subsequently deemed damaged beyond repair. Immediately following this determination, the aircraft was sold on the spot to Navegação Aérea Brasileira. The new owners ordered mechanics who were not qualified for such repair work to repair the aircraft.
Incident Sequence
On September 21, the aircraft was authorized to conduct a test flight lasting seven minutes. The next day, September 22, a second test flight was scheduled. Shortly after takeoff on this second flight, the left main undercarriage would not retract. Two minutes into the flight, the gear worked loose and struck the left wing, causing the wing to fold upwards. The remaining right wing then broke up, and the airplane crashed vertically into the ground. All three crew members were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation findings state: "Unqualified personnel were instructed to repair an aircraft following an accident."