Accident Details
After dropping off passengers at Curitiba-Afonso Pena Airport, the crew was returning to their base in Jundiaí. Shortly after takeoff from runway 11 during night marginal weather conditions, the airplane entered clouds at an altitude of 300 feet and continued climbing. Following a left turn, the aircraft climbed to 700 feet then entered a right turn and an uncontrolled descent, crashing in a field near the Guatupê Police Academy, located 3 km northeast of the airport. The accident occurred two minutes after takeoff. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was poor due to night conditions and a cloud ceiling at 300 feet.
Investigation Findings
Official investigation identified the probable cause as loss of control during initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) after the crew suffered spatial disorientation. Multiple contributing factors were identified: weather conditions unsuitable for the flight; crew failure to prepare the flight per published procedures; failure to follow the pre-takeoff checklist; insufficient training of the copilot for the operation; the captain's emotional state compromised flight operations; incompatible relationship between the pilots; the main attitude indicator had been out of service for a week, and the crew referred to the emergency attitude indicator, which the captain forgot to switch on before takeoff due to poor flight preparation; the captain had accumulated 15 hours and 22 minutes of work without rest, violating regulations; the captain exhibited overconfidence and inflexibility; both pilots disagreed on operations; poor visibility; organizational complacency characterized by acceptance of operating conditions incompatible with safety rules; sharp right turn in IMC combined with long working hours; captain's stress from fatigue; poor crew discipline; poor situation judgment; poor flight planning; failures in operator's organizational processes and supervision.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause is loss of control during initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions after the crew suffered spatial disorientation.