Aircraft overrun at Santos Airport following missed approach

No fatalities • Santos, Brazil • Landing (descent or approach)

A flight departing from Rio de Janeiro ended in an aircraft overrun at Santos Airport after an unstable approach led to the plane entering a canal.

What happened

A flight traveling from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport to Santos was involved in an excursion during its landing phase. The aircraft, operated by a local carrier, was carrying two pilots and one passenger at the time of the incident. While navigating toward the destination using the local NDB, the crew began their descent but had to execute a go-around because the flight path was not correctly aligned with the runway.

During the subsequent attempt to land on runway 35, the aircraft encountered a tailwind component. The approach became unstabilized, resulting in the aircraft type touching down 450 meters beyond the runway threshold. Given the remaining runway length of only 940 meters, the crew was unable to decelerate sufficiently. Consequently, the aircraft overran the end of the runway and came to a stop in the Bertioga Canal. Although the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair, all three occupants managed to evacuate the wreckage without injury.

Findings

  • The initial approach required a go-around due to a lack of proper alignment with the navigation aid.
  • The second landing attempt was characterized by an unstabilized approach and the presence of a tailwind.

Probable cause

An unstable approach combined with a tailwind component led to an overrun beyond the runway threshold.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2003-03-23 Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond accident near Santos, Brazil?

A flight departing from Rio de Janeiro ended in an aircraft overrun at Santos Airport after an unstable approach led to the plane entering a canal.

Were there any fatalities in the 2003-03-23 Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-03-23 involved a Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond, registration PT-LNN, operated by Libra Administração e Participações, at Santos, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An unstable approach combined with a tailwind component led to an overrun beyond the runway threshold.

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