Incident Overview
On approach to Imperatriz Airport following an uneventful flight from São Luíz, a Bandeirante aircraft collided with a second Votec Taxi Aéreo Bandeirante. The second aircraft, registered PT-GKL, was also approaching Imperatriz Airport after a flight from Belém with 17 people on board.
Sequence of Events
Following the collision, the Bandeirante registered PT-GJZ went out of control and crashed into the Rio Tocantins, where it sank. All 18 occupants of PT-GJZ were killed. The crew of the second Bandeirante was able to make an emergency landing in a prairie despite the left engine being torn off in the collision. One passenger on the second aircraft was killed, while the other 16 occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable Cause
The official findings state the probable cause as an in-flight collision on approach for unknown reasons.