Aircraft crash near Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport

4 fatalities • Fortaleza-Pinto Martins, Brazil • Landing (descent or approach)

A twin-engine cargo flight crashed into a residence near Fortaleza, Brazil, resulting in multiple fatalities on the ground and among the crew.

What happened

A twin-engine cargo aircraft was performing a transport flight from Teresina to Fortaleza, transporting 2.5 tons of medical supplies along with two pilots and one passenger. During the final approach phase toward Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport, the aircraft was traveling at an excessive speed while the crew deployed the landing gear and flaps.

As the flight progressed, the aircraft became unstable. The pilot-in-command maintained the approach without intervention from the co-pilot to rectify the flight parameters. During the final stages of the approach, the thrust levers were moved below the flight idle position, leading to a loss of airspeed and a right-hand bank. The aircraft subsequently collided with power lines before impacting a house.

Findings

The impact resulted in the destruction of both the aircraft and the residential structure. The crash caused three fatalities among the occupants and one person on the ground, while the co-pilot later succumbed to serious injuries. Additionally, seven injuries were reported among individuals on the ground. The primary factor in the accident was the reduction of thrust below flight idle during the final approach.

Probable cause

The aircraft entered an unstable approach and lost airspeed after the crew reduced thrust below the flight idle position.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-10-21 Embraer EMB-120 Brasília accident near Fortaleza-Pinto Martins, Brazil?

A twin-engine cargo flight crashed into a residence near Fortaleza, Brazil, resulting in multiple fatalities on the ground and among the crew.

Were there any fatalities in the 1998-10-21 Embraer EMB-120 Brasília accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-10-21 involved a Embraer EMB-120 Brasília, registration PT-WKH, operated by Capital Taxi Aéreo, at Fortaleza-Pinto Martins, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft entered an unstable approach and lost airspeed after the crew reduced thrust below the flight idle position.

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