18 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes in Agudos Pine Forest, All 18 Occupants Killed (PP-SBB)

Agudos, BrazilFlight

On February 8, 1979, an Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (registration PP-SBB) operated by TAM Brasil - Taxi Aéreo Marilia - Transportes Aéreos Regionais was involved in an aviation accident near Agudos, Brazil in flight. 18 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control due to separation of a horizontal stabilizer in flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Brazilian Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA)Updated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft on a scheduled flight from Bauru to São Paulo crashed in Agudos after the crew lost control. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 18 occupants died. The probable cause is separation of a horizontal stabilizer.

Accident

On a scheduled flight from Bauru Airport to São Paulo, a twin-engine aircraft departed at 1930 local time. Ten minutes into the flight, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and lost control of the aircraft, which entered a dive and crashed in a pine forest in Agudos. The impact resulted in a huge explosion, and the aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. All 18 occupants were killed.

Investigation

Investigators examined the wreckage and determined that the loss of control likely stemmed from an in-flight structural failure.

Probable Cause

The official finding states that the loss of control was the consequence of the separation of a horizontal stabilizer in flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Feb 1979 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante accident near Agudos, Brazil?

A twin-engine aircraft on a scheduled flight from Bauru to São Paulo crashed in Agudos after the crew lost control. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 18 occupants died. The probable cause is separation of a horizontal stabilizer.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Feb 1979 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 18 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Feb 1979 involved an Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante, registration PP-SBB, operated by TAM Brasil - Taxi Aéreo Marilia - Transportes Aéreos Regionais, at Agudos, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of control due to separation of a horizontal stabilizer in flight.