What happened
On the evening of the accident, flight 1039 was granted clearance for takeoff from runway 31 at 18:12. Approximately one minute later, as the Embraer Bandeirante climbed through an altitude of 600 feet just past the departure end of the runway, the crew communicated a change in radio frequency. Within thirty seconds of this transmission, the aircraft was observed entering a sharp descent near the runway's extended centerline.
The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain 7,800 feet beyond the runway threshold and 85 feet to the right of the centerline. The impact occurred while the plane was in an inverted, nose-down position, leading to a post-crash fire. During the descent prior to hitting the ground, several structural components detached from the airframe, including the tail cone assembly, the aft section of the ventral fin, both elevators and their tips, and the horizontal stabilizer along with bulkhead No. 36.
The accident resulted in 13 fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified a critical failure within the aircraft's pitch control mechanisms. It was determined that a malfunction occurred within either the elevator trim or the elevator control system, creating an uncommanded pitch issue. In an attempt to recover the aircraft, the crew's corrective actions placed excessive stress on the left elevator control rod. This led to asymmetrical elevator movement and the subsequent structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer attachment points.