7 fatalities

Crew and Passengers Killed in Aracatuba Airport Crash (PP-SBH)

Araçatuba, BrazilLanding (descent or approach)

On October 7, 1983, an Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (registration PP-SBH) operated by TAM Brasil - Taxi Aéreo Marilia - Transportes Aéreos Regionais was involved in an aviation accident near Araçatuba, Brazil during landing or approach. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew attempted a visual approach without establishing visual contact with the ground, influenced by adverse weather, mission pressure, and the captain's seating position, leading to a loss of control during a low-altitude turn. 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 reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

On approach to Araçatuba Airport, a plane crashed after abandoning two landings on runway 22 and attempting a visual approach to runway 04 in poor weather, killing both pilots and five passengers.

Accident Details

On approach to Araçatuba Airport runway 22, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain. After aborting the approach twice, the crew initiated a go-around and attempted to land on runway 04. During a last turn to the left at very low altitude under VFR mode in IMC conditions, the airplane struck the ground with its left wingtip and crashed a few hundred metres short of the runway.

Occupants and Injuries

Both pilots and five passengers were killed, while eight other occupants were injured.

Probable Cause

The official investigation identified the probable cause as the crew's decision to attempt a visual approach without establishing visual contact with the ground, influenced by factors including adverse weather, pressure to complete the mission, and the captain being seated on the right, which may have hindered piloting. The crew abandoned the approach and attempted to establish visual contact, but during the final turn at low altitude in a steep left bank, the aircraft struck the ground with its left wingtip and crashed.