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22 fatalities

Night Approach Accident at Altamira Airport (PT-ICA)

Altamira, BrazilLanding (descent or approach)

On June 6, 1990, a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227 (registration PT-ICA) operated by Transportes Aéreos Regionais da Bacia Amazônica - TABA was involved in an aviation accident near Altamira, Brazil during landing or approach. 22 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the consequence of adverse weather conditions, poor approach planning, poor judgement, poor flight discipline as the crew failed to follow ATC instructions, environmental influence conducive to fog, the captain's last sleep period being less… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Brazilian Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed 850 m short of runway 07 at Altamira Airport during a night VFR approach in fog. Both pilots and 20 passengers died; 22 others were injured.

Incident Overview During a night approach to Altamira Airport, the aircraft encountered marginal weather, including a fog bank on final. The crew elected to continue the approach under visual flight rules (VFR). On short final, the aircraft was too low, struck trees, and impacted the ground 850 meters short of runway 07. ## Casualties The accident resulted in the deaths of both pilots and 20 passengers. An additional 22 occupants were injured. ## Contributing Factors The official investigation identified several factors: adverse weather conditions; poor approach planning; poor judgment; poor flight discipline, including failure to follow air traffic control instructions; environmental conditions conducive to fog formation; the captain’s last sleep period being less than five hours despite sufficient rest time; and the captain’s reported state of boredom, aggressiveness, and demotivation.

Probable cause

The accident was the consequence of adverse weather conditions, poor approach planning, poor judgement, poor flight discipline as the crew failed to follow ATC instructions, environmental influence conducive to fog, the captain's last sleep period being less than five hours, and the captain's period of boredom, aggressiveness, and demotivation.
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Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Jun 1990 Fairchild-Hiller FH-227 accident near Altamira, Brazil?

An aircraft crashed 850 m short of runway 07 at Altamira Airport during a night VFR approach in fog. Both pilots and 20 passengers died; 22 others were injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Jun 1990 Fairchild-Hiller FH-227 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 22 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Jun 1990 involved a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227, registration PT-ICA, operated by Transportes Aéreos Regionais da Bacia Amazônica - TABA, at Altamira, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was the consequence of adverse weather conditions, poor approach planning, poor judgement, poor flight discipline as the crew failed to follow ATC instructions, environmental influence conducive to fog, the captain's last sleep period being less than five hours, and the captain's period of boredom,…

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