Mid-air collision during formation flight results in fatal crash

9 fatalities • Caruaru, Brazil • Flight

An aircraft flying in formation from Salvador to Natal crashed following a mid-air collision with another aircraft, resulting in nine fatalities.

What happened

While performing a flight from Salvador to Natal, an aircraft was traveling in a group alongside three other similar planes. During the cruise phase of the journey, the aircraft's tail section was struck by the propeller of a trailing aircraft within the formation. This impact caused a portion of the tail to separate from the fuselage.

Following the structural failure, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The plane crashed upon impact with the ground, which subsequently triggered a fire. There were nine fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.

Findings

Investigations into the accident indicate that the primary factor was a mid-air collision involving the propeller of a following aircraft striking the tail of the subject aircraft during formation flight.

Probable cause

The aircraft suffered a structural failure of the tail section after being struck by the propeller of another aircraft during formation flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-11-17 Embraer C-95 Bandeirante accident near Caruaru, Brazil?

An aircraft flying in formation from Salvador to Natal crashed following a mid-air collision with another aircraft, resulting in nine fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1996-11-17 Embraer C-95 Bandeirante accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 9 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-11-17 involved a Embraer C-95 Bandeirante, registration 7102, operated by Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira (1941-), at Caruaru, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft suffered a structural failure of the tail section after being struck by the propeller of another aircraft during formation flight.

Loading the flight search…