What happened
A domestic flight operated by an air taxi service was traveling from Manaus toward Tefé, Brazil, when mechanical issues emerged. The EMB-110 Bandeirante was operating significantly over its certified capacity, carrying 25 passengers despite a maximum limit of 19. Additionally, the aircraft departed with an excess weight of 852 kg due to the decision to carry surplus fuel for financial reasons.
Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, the crew observed a drop in oil pressure in the number two engine. While they initially attempted to continue toward Tefé by reducing power to 72%, the situation worsened when the aircraft reached flight level 85, roughly 185 km from Manaus. At this point, the oil pressure fell to 40psi and turbine gas temperature increased, prompting the copilot to shut down the engine. The captain then initiated a return to Manaus.
While flying on a single engine, the heavily overloaded aircraft began losing altitude. To maintain a speed of approximately 105 knots and prevent further issues, the crew opened a left overwing exit to jettison passenger luggage in an attempt to reduce weight. Despite these efforts, the aircraft could not reach its destination and performed an emergency landing on the Manacapente River. The impact with the water was severe enough to breach the fuselage, causing the plane to sink rapidly.
Findings
Investigations into the accident highlighted several critical failures regarding safety and oversight:
- The aircraft operator failed to provide adequate supervision, allowing the flight to proceed with an expired B2 inspection.
- The aircraft was flying with excessive weight due to both the unauthorized number of passengers and unnecessary fuel loads.
- There were significant errors in flight planning and crew preparation, including a failure to properly verify passenger and cargo manifests or conduct necessary briefings.
- The crew failed to evaluate the risks of continuing the flight after the initial drop in oil pressure was detected.
- Maintenance discrepancies were noted, including an unqualified mechanic performing inspections and the use of incorrect information for weight and balance calculations by support staff.