Embraer 110 Bandeirante Crashes into Hillside in Santa Catarina

Casualties unknown • SÃO FRANCISCO DO SUL, SC, BR

A cargo flight operating for Helisul Táxi Aéreo crashed into a hill near São Francisco do Sul, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

What happened

On the night of September 13, 1996, an EMB 110 Bandeirante, registration PT-WAV, crashed into a hillside near Morro da Palha, in the municipality of São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina. The aircraft, operated by Helisul Táxi Aéreo S.A., was performing a cargo flight from Porto Alegre to Joinville, carrying various goods including footwear, leather, and ceramics.

During the approach to Joinville, the aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules in low visibility and foggy conditions. The crew had last reported being on the ECHO 1 approach leg at 3,000 feet. However, the aircraft subsequently struck trees and a rock formation at an altitude of approximately 300 feet while flying on a heading of 051 degrees. The impact caused the aircraft to explode and catch fire, resulting in two fatalities as both crew members died at the scene.

The investigation

The CENIPA investigation focused on the navigation methods used during the approach and the operational environment of the crew. Investigators found that the NDB Iririu (PP 225), which served as the missed approach waypoint for the ECHO 1 procedure, was inoperable.

Technical analysis of the aircraft's GPS revealed a critical error: when the crew entered the identifier "PP" into the device, the GPS displayed coordinates for the NDB Metro in Congonhas, São Paulo, rather than the local NDB Iririu. This led the crew to follow a heading of 051 degrees instead of the prescribed 356 degrees. Furthermore, the investigation examined the crew's work schedules, noting that the co-pilot was on his thirteenth consecutive night shift, and the commander was on his third.

Findings

  • Improper use of GPS: The crew relied on a GPS that was not approved as a primary navigation source for the approach, leading to a significant navigational error due to conflicting station identifiers.
  • Altitude deviation: The aircraft descended below the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) of 770 feet, reaching only 300 feet before impact.
  • Crew fatigue: The crew was likely suffering from fatigue due to consecutive night shifts and extended working hours that violated established labor regulations.
  • Organizational failures: The investigation identified inadequate company supervision regarding flight planning and crew scheduling, as well as the operation of the aircraft under an irregular registration category.
  • Deficient cockpit coordination: Errors in executing the standard approach procedure were compounded by poor crew resource management.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the crew's reliance on an unapproved GPS setting that provided incorrect navigational data, leading them to deviate from the prescribed approach path and descend below the minimum altitude, a situation likely exacerbated by crew fatigue and organizational failures in flight supervision.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-09-13 aircraft accident near SÃO FRANCISCO DO SUL, SC, BR?

A cargo flight operating for Helisul Táxi Aéreo crashed into a hill near São Francisco do Sul, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-09-13 involved a aircraft, registration PTWAV, at SÃO FRANCISCO DO SUL, SC, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew's reliance on an unapproved GPS setting that provided incorrect navigational data, leading them to deviate from the prescribed approach path and descend below the minimum altitude, a situation likely exacerbated by crew fatigue and organizational failures in flight supervision.

Loading the flight search…