Accident Sequence
Approximately two minutes after departing from Aripuanã Airport on runway 18, the aircraft was climbing when the pilot radioed that an engine had failed and he was returning to the airport. During a left turn, the aircraft lost altitude and struck a wooded area about 6 kilometers from the airfield, bursting into flames upon impact.
Damage and Fatalities
The aircraft was totally destroyed. All eight occupants, among them seven journalists covering the official visit of the Governor of Mato Grosso in the region, were killed.
Investigation
Official findings determined the probable cause to be engine failure for unknown reasons.