What happened
On February 14, 1997, a Boeing 737-200, registration PP-CJO, operated by Varig, was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Belém to Brasília, with stops in Marabá and Carajás. During the approach to Carajás (SBCJ), the crew was aware that meteorological conditions were already below the established minimums for an instrument approach.
Upon landing during moderate rain, the aircraft's right main landing gear collapsed. This caused the aircraft to veer to the right, exiting the runway and colliding with dense vegetation. The impact was severe enough to cause parts of the engines and fuselage to detach. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, and the horizontal stabilizer, elevators, and vertical stabilizer were particularly affected; the airframe was ultimately deemed unrecoverable.
The accident resulted in one fatality (the co-pilot) and several injuries, including three serious injuries and six minor injuries among the passengers. The crew and passengers evacuated via the right-side main door and the right wing emergency exit.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage, the landing gear components, and flight data from the FDR and CVR. Technical analysis of the fractured landing gear components at the Aerospace Technical Center revealed that the failures were caused by heavy structural loads experienced during the landing.
Flight data revealed that the approach was unstable. The aircraft maintained high speeds—up/down rates reached 2800 ft/min, and the aircraft was flying significantly above recommended speeds during flap configuration. The investigation also noted that the crew's communication was ineffective, and standard operating procedures, such as takeoff and landing briefings and specific checklists, were not properly executed. Furthermore, the investigation found that the airport's runway safety area was non-compliant with regulations, as large trees were located only 70 meters from the runway centerline, whereas regulations required a 150-meter obstacle-free zone.
Findings
- Improper decision-making: The crew proceeded with the approach despite knowing that weather conditions were below the legal minimums.
- Unstable approach: The aircraft was operated with excessive speeds and descent rates, failing to meet stabilized approach criteria.
- Poor cockpit resource management: Ineffective communication between the pilots and a lack of standardized checklists and briefings contributed to a loss of situational awareness.
- Adverse weather: Heavy rain and low visibility significantly degraded operating conditions.
- Inadequate infrastructure: The presence of large trees near the runway centerline increased the severity of the excursion.
- Operational deficiencies: The pilot's decision-making was influenced by a desire to complete the mission despite the deteriorating weather.