No fatalities

Engine Fire Leads to Crash Landing at Belo Horizonte-Pampulha (A-117)

Belo Horizonte-Pampulha-Carlos Drummond de Andrade, BrazilLanding (descent or approach)

On July 3, 1937, a Potez 25 (registration A-117) operated by Brazilian Air Force - Aviação Militar (1919-1941) was involved in an aviation accident near Belo Horizonte-Pampulha-Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Brazil during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An engine fire occurred during the approach phase, necessitating an emergency landing that resulted in the destruction of 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 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft suffered an engine fire while approaching Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport, forcing a crash landing that destroyed the plane but left both crew members uninjured.

What happened

During the final approach to Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport, the aircraft experienced a sudden mechanical failure when its engine ignited. The fire prompted the flight crew to initiate an emergency procedure, attempting to land the aircraft as quickly and safely as possible despite the severity of the situation.

The plane ultimately crash landed on the ground, immediately bursting into flames following impact. The structural integrity of the airframe was compromised by the fire, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft. Despite the violent nature of the landing and the subsequent fire, both members of the crew managed to escape without sustaining any injuries.

Findings

Investigations into the incident identified the ignition of the engine during the approach phase as the primary factor leading to the emergency. The rapid escalation from mechanical failure to a full-blaze crash landing highlighted the critical nature of the event, although the outcome for the personnel remained positive due to their successful evacuation.

Probable cause

An engine fire occurred during the approach phase, necessitating an emergency landing that resulted in the destruction of the aircraft.