Aircraft crash in Angra dos Reis during approach

3 fatalities • Angra dos Reis, Brazil • Landing (descent or approach)

A twin-engine charter flight crashed into the sea near Angra dos Reis following a low-altitude impact during a turn in poor weather conditions.

What happened

A charter flight traveling from Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport to Angra dos Reis ended in a fatal accident during the final stages of its approach. The aircraft, a twin engine plane, was carrying two pilots and one passenger at the time of the incident. As the crew prepared for landing, they encountered severe meteorological conditions characterized by heavy rainfall, low cloud ceilings, and significant turbulence caused by an approaching cold front.

During the short final phase of the flight, the crew was executing a right-hand turn at a low altitude. During this maneuver, the right wing made contact with the water surface. The impact caused the aircraft to crash into the sea approximately 500 meters from the shoreline. Search efforts located the wreckage roughly 3 km away from the Angra dos Reis airport. The accident resulted in three fatalities, as all occupants on board were killed, and the aircraft was completely destroyed.

Findings

  • The flight was operating in extremely low visibility due to heavy rain and low-hanging clouds.
  • An approaching cold front created unstable atmospheric conditions and turbulence.
  • The right wing struck the water surface while the aircraft was performing a turn at low altitude.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck the water during a low-altitude turn while operating in severe weather conditions and low visibility.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-07-12 Embraer EMB-121 Xingu accident near Angra dos Reis, Brazil?

A twin-engine charter flight crashed into the sea near Angra dos Reis following a low-altitude impact during a turn in poor weather conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 2012-07-12 Embraer EMB-121 Xingu accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-07-12 involved a Embraer EMB-121 Xingu, registration PT-MAB, operated by Banjet Taxi Aéreo, at Angra dos Reis, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck the water during a low-altitude turn while operating in severe weather conditions and low visibility.

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