No fatalities

Two Guards Die in Aircraft Fire After Runway Veer-Off (PP-SML)

Aragarças, BrazilLanding (descent or approach)

On November 7, 1971, a NAMC YS-11 (registration PP-SML) operated by VASP - Viação Aérea de São Paulo was involved in an aviation accident near Aragarças, Brazil during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fire was caused by a candle lit inside the aircraft. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

After landing at Aragarças Airport, the pilot veered off the runway to avoid another aircraft. The following night, two guards died when a candle lit inside the plane caused a fire that destroyed the cabin.

Landing and Evacuation

Upon touchdown at Aragarças Airport, the pilot-in-command observed another airplane occupying the runway and initiated the braking procedure. To avoid a potential collision, the pilot intentionally steered the aircraft to the right, causing it to veer off the paved surface. The airplane came to a stop in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. All persons on board evacuated the aircraft without any reported injuries, and the landing incident did not result in any physical harm to the occupants.

Guard Deployment and Fire

The following night, two individuals were assigned to guard the parked aircraft. During the guard duty, a candle was lit inside the cabin. The candle ignited a fire that rapidly spread throughout the interior. The fire consumed the cabin entirely, leading to the deaths of both guards. No other details about the guards or the specific circumstances of the candle lighting are available from the source.

Cause

The source states that the fire was caused by a candle lit inside the aircraft.

Probable cause

The fire was caused by a candle lit inside the aircraft.