What happened
A twin-engine cargo flight traveling from Teresimna to Fortaleza was carrying two pilots, one passenger, and 2.5 tons of medical supplies when the accident occurred. During the final approach to Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport, the aircraft was flying at an excessive speed while the landing gear and flaps were being deployed. The flight became unstable during this phase. As the aircraft continued its descent, the thrust levers were moved below the flight idle position, leading to a loss of airspeed and a right-hand bank. During the maneuver, the plane struck power lines before impacting a house.
The impact destroyed both the aircraft type and the residential structure. The crash resulted in 3 fatalities among the occupants and one person on the ground, while the co-pilot sustained serious injuries that later proved fatal. Additionally, 7 injuries were reported among people on the ground.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to crew performance and operational oversight. The pilot-in-command was noted for exhibiting excessive self-confidence and attempting to accelerate the approach due to pressure from local air traffic and delays caused by waiting for clearance. This resulted in a non-stabilized approach that exceeded recommended speed and glide slope parameters. Furthermore, the co-pilot failed to intervene or provide necessary corrections during the unstable descent.
Operational failures were also noted regarding the management of flight tasks and the use of aircraft resources. The investigation highlighted issues with the operator's documentation and potential maintenance discrepancies, specifically concerning the deactivation of a secondary stop and non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive. There were also reports regarding the pilot's history of deviating from standard procedures.