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18 fatalities

Charter Flight Carrying Journalists Crashes into Mountain Near Macaé (PP-SBC)

Rio das Ostras, BrazilLanding (descent or approach)

On June 28, 1984, an Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (registration PP-SBC) operated by TAM Brasil - Taxi Aéreo Marilia - Transportes Aéreos Regionais was involved in an aviation accident near Rio das Ostras, Brazil during landing or approach. 18 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions. 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 airplane on a charter flight from Rio de Janeiro to Macaé crashed into Mount Morro São João in poor weather, killing all 18 occupants. The crew had continued under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Accident Details

On a charter flight from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport to Macaé, a twin-engine airplane was carrying 16 journalists from four Brazilian TV networks who had been invited by Petrobras to visit an offshore oil platform. While descending to Macaé Airport in poor weather conditions, the crew decided to continue under visual flight rules (VFR) mode. The aircraft subsequently struck the slope of Mount Morro São João, which has an elevation of 600 meters, located approximately 34 kilometers southwest of the threshold of runway 06. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and all 18 occupants were killed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach under VFR mode in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Jun 1984 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante accident near Rio das Ostras, Brazil?

A twin-engine airplane on a charter flight from Rio de Janeiro to Macaé crashed into Mount Morro São João in poor weather, killing all 18 occupants. The crew had continued under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Jun 1984 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 28 Jun 1984 involved an Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante, registration PP-SBC, operated by TAM Brasil - Taxi Aéreo Marilia - Transportes Aéreos Regionais, at Rio das Ostras, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

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