Incident Overview
On an ILS approach to Ponta Pelada Air Force Base (AFB), a cargo flight en route from Panama City to São Paulo was not properly aligned and was too high on the glide path. The captain overcorrected, resulting in a high sink rate and a nose-down attitude.
Sequence of Events
In the nose-down attitude, the nose gear struck a concrete wall located 12 meters short of the runway threshold. The impact tore off the nose gear. Subsequently, the airplane landed on its nose and slid for approximately 300 meters before coming to rest.
Crew and Aircraft Status
All three crew members on board escaped uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be wrong approach configuration on the part of the pilot-in-command.