Accident
While on approach to Vitoria da Conquista Airport runway 15, the flight crew did not realize their altitude was too low. On short final, the aircraft impacted a small mound located a few meters before the runway threshold. The impact tore off both main landing gears. The aircraft then slid on the runway for approximately 300 meters before veering off to the left, coming to rest in a grassy area about 35 meters left of the runway. The right engine caught fire. All 38 occupants evacuated without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Investigation
The investigation identified the following contributing factors. During the approach, the crew's attention was concentrated on the terrain characteristics and the presence of birds, reducing their awareness of maintaining the correct approach slope. The organizational culture of keeping a low approach angle led the crew to use the runway aspect rather than the Visual Approach Slope Indicator System (VASIS) as a reference, making them susceptible to spatial illusions. The copilot reported difficulty in correcting the aircraft's glide path relative to the runway, suggesting inadequate correction amplitude.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as determined by the official investigation, includes several factors. The physical characteristics of runway 15—its pronounced upward slope, narrower width compared to runways the crew was accustomed to, and low terrain near the threshold—caused the pilots to perceive they were above the ideal approach slope. This perception led them to correct downward, resulting in a below-ideal approach angle. Additionally, the company assigned two pilots who had never operated at SBQV (Vitoria da Conquista Airport). A crewmember with experience at this airport would have had greater awareness of its specific characteristics. Furthermore, no company publications were found that provided guidance on the specifics of SBQV to assist in managing operational risks.