Departure and Electrical Failure
The aircraft departed Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont Airport on a positioning flight to Rio de Janeiro–Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport, carrying three crew members. Two minutes after takeoff, during the initial climb, the electrical system suffered a voltage power loss. As a result, several instruments ceased to function, including the traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), altimeters, and airspeed indicator.
Decision to Return
Under good weather conditions, the captain decided to return to Santos Dumont Airport but did not declare an emergency. The crew received clearance to descend to 3,000 feet and subsequently lost all radio communications.
Approach and Overrun
On final approach to runway 02R, most of the instruments failed, yet the crew continued the approach. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at an excessive speed of 25 knots above the reference speed. After touchdown, the crew initiated braking, but the spoilers and thrust reversers could not be activated. Unable to stop within the remaining runway distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest in Guanabara Bay. All three crew members escaped uninjured, while the aircraft sustained damage that required repair.
Probable Cause
An error in the assembly was detected in the left generator, which interfered with the D+ terminal signal sent to the voltage regulator. Due to a voltage drop, some of the instruments lost their functionality. The following contributing factors were identified: the crew did not follow emergency procedures; they decided to return to Santos Dumont without considering the runway length insufficient for an emergency landing; the speed over the threshold was 25 knots above reference; inability to engage spoilers or thrust reversers; wrong attitude from the captain; overconfidence; emotional load from the emergency; poor situation assessment due to high stress and decreased situational awareness; poor crew coordination; lack of crew resource management; poor judgment; and lack of procedures on the part of the operator.