9 fatalities

1996-11-17: Embraer C-95 Bandeirante (7102) — Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira (1941-) — Caruaru, Brazil

Caruaru, BrazilFlight

On November 17, 1996, an Embraer C-95 Bandeirante (registration 7102) operated by Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira (1941-) was involved in an aviation accident near Caruaru, Brazil in flight. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft suffered a structural failure of the tail section after being struck by the propeller of another aircraft during formation flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781206536Data APIEditorial standards

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.