Accident Overview
On a taxi flight from Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport to Juiz de Fora, a twin-engine aircraft departed at 1522 LT carrying two pilots, two passengers, and a load of valuables. While cruising approximately 35 nautical miles south of Belo Horizonte, the crew encountered technical problems with the engines and decided to return for an emergency landing.
Approach and Crash
During the approach to runway 13, the aircraft was too high. Air traffic control cleared the crew to execute a 360-degree turn to reduce altitude. After completing 270 degrees of the turn, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed 2 kilometers short of the runway. The impact was followed by a fire.
Damage and Casualties
The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and the post-crash fire. All four occupants—two pilots and two passengers—were killed.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a right-engine oil leak in flight, resulting from a hose failure due to poor maintenance. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Both pilots lacked sufficient experience and training on this type of aircraft.
- The copilot was flying for this operator for the first time.
- The operator was unable to provide any maintenance documentation or crew training documentation to investigators.
- Both engines were running at impact but with limited power.
- The right propeller was feathered at impact.