Fatal Nighttime Crash Near Campinas-Viracopos Airport (PT-IBR)

Flight Diversion and Approach Details The aircraft departed Manaus-Eduardo Gomes Airport in the afternoon for São Paulo-Congonhas Airport. During the flight, the crew received information regarding deteriorating weather conditions at the destination and was subsequently vectored to Campinas-Viracopos Airport. The approach to the new destination occurred at night. During the final approach, the crew did not recognize that the aircraft's altitude was too low. The airplane then struck trees and crashed into a eucalyptus plantation situated 2 km short of runway 14 at Campinas-Viracopos Airport. The wreckage was located at 0700 local time the following day. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the accident. All seven people on board were killed. Among the fatalities were five senior managers from the Brazilian Mercedes Benz Branch. The flight crew consisted of Jorge Casara, the pilot, and Hugo Fernandes Rosa, the copilot. The passengers were Friedrich Karl Binder, Wilhelm Künkele, Karl-Heinz Eisenmenger, Willy Weltzer, and Helmut Surkemper.