Charter Flight Crashes After Engine Failure Near Manacapuru (PT-SEA)

Accident Overview

On a charter flight from Coari Airport to Manaus-Eduardo Gomes Airport, a twin-engine aircraft departed at 1240 LT carrying 26 passengers and two pilots. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, while cruising at flight level 115, the crew informed air traffic control that the left engine had failed. The crew elected to divert to the unused Manacapuru Airfield.

Accident Sequence

As the aircraft approached runway 08, it rolled to the left to an angle of 30 degrees and subsequently crashed into the Rio Manacapuru. The accident resulted in 24 fatalities and four passengers sustaining slight injuries.

Probable Cause

The official investigation identified the following factors:

• At takeoff from Coari Airport, the total weight of the aircraft was 6,414 kg, which is 744 kg over the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).
• On board were 26 passengers, including 8 children, while the aircraft was certified for 19 passengers.
• The left engine fuel pump was completely burnt during the accident, but it could not be determined if it failed during the flight or not.
• The crew was not sufficiently trained for emergency situations.
• Poor work organization.
• Lack of supervision from the operator concerning crew's decisions before and during flights.
• Poor crew coordination.
• Lack of crew communication.
• Non-compliance with management techniques.
• Incomplete execution of the actions provided by the emergency checklist.