Cargo Aircraft Crash in Fortaleza During Final Approach (PT-WKH)

Incident Overview and Casualties A twin-engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Teresina to Fortaleza when it crashed during final approach to Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport. The aircraft was carrying one passenger, two pilots, and 2.5 tons of medicines. The crash destroyed the aircraft and a house. The copilot was seriously injured and died hours later; the captain, the passenger, and one person on the ground were killed. Seven other people on the ground were injured. ## Approach and Impact During final approach, the aircraft was descending at an excessive speed when the flaps and landing gear were selected down. The aircraft became unstable. The captain, acting as pilot-in-command, continued the approach, and the copilot did not intervene to correct the situation. On final, the thrust levers were positioned below the flight idle position, causing the aircraft to lose speed and enter a right bank. The aircraft struck power cables and then crashed into a house. ## Official Findings The investigation identified several contributing factors. The crew performed the approach above the glide slope and at high speed, and the captain accelerated the final approach procedure amid prolonged waiting caused by local traffic in Fortaleza and another aircraft approaching the aerodrome. The captain showed signs of excessive self-confidence and misused available operational resources due to ineffective management of pilot flying and pilot non-flying duties and noncompliance with operational rules. The copilot did not advise the pilot-in-command during the approach, accepted the non-stabilized approach, and did not react to reverse the situation. The crew also disobeyed the aircraft's operating rules by performing a destabilized approach outside the manufacturer's recommended envelope and by placing the power levers below the flight idle position. ## Maintenance and Operational Context The operator's delay in submitting requested documentation for the aircraft reduced the credibility of the submitted material. The possibility that the secondary stop was deactivated, despite contrary statements by a mechanic, was linked to inadequate participation of maintenance personnel in the services performed and noncompliance with a planned airworthiness directive. Reports from several pilots described the commander's habits of performing unforeseen procedures, including some pilots who avoided flying with him. The investigation did not research whether other crew members reported these facts to company management or whether the company was aware of these operational deviations.