What happened
On a scheduled taxi flight from Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport to Juiz de Fora, a twin engine aircraft experienced mechanical difficulties during the cruise phase. The flight, which was transporting two pilots and two passengers along with a cargo of valuables, was operating approximately 35 nm south of Belo Horizonte when the crew identified technical issues with the engines.
In response to the engine problems, the crew decided to perform an emergency return to the departure airport. While attempting to land on runway 13, the aircraft was positioned at an excessive altitude. Air traffic control instructed the crew to execute a 360-degree turn to assist in descending to the proper approach height. During the execution of this maneuver, specifically after the aircraft had completed 270 degrees of the turn, it entered an uncontrolled descent. The plane struck the ground roughly 2 km before reaching the runway threshold and was consumed by a post-crash fire. The impact and subsequent flames resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and the deaths of all four occupants.
Findings
- The crew encountered engine-related technical complications during the cruise portion of the flight.
- The aircraft was unable to maintain controlled flight during a low-altitude maneuvering attempt to correct for an unstable approach.