What happened
On January 31, 1978, at approximately 11:30 AM, an Embraer 110-P, registered as PT-GKW, was performing a scheduled takeoff from Eirunepê, Amazonas, bound for Cruzeiro do Sul. Shortly after the aircraft cleared the end of the runway, a mechanical failure occurred. The pilot attempted an immediate forced landing in front of the airfield, causing the aircraft to veer approximately twenty degrees to the left with the landing gear extended.
The aircraft struck the ground in three successive impacts. The collision triggered an immediate intense fire. While the passengers managed to evacuate the wreckage, the two pilots were rendered unconscious by the force of the impacts and remained trapped inside the burning aircraft. The accident resulted in three fatalities, including both pilots and one passenger.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and maintenance records of the operator, Taba Aéreos da Bacia Amazônica S/A. The investigation noted that the pilots held valid medical certificates and possessed sufficient experience and qualifications for the mission. Maintenance logs indicated that the aircraft's upkeep was up to date, with previous reported issues—such as high temperature in the left engine and RPM fluctuations—having been addressed.
Due to the total destruction of the aircraft by fire, investigators could not definitively identify the specific failed component. However, a passenger reported seeing a red general alarm light illuminated on the panel prior to the crash. Witnesses also reported hearing a horn, which may have been the stall warning alarm, and observed the crew interacting with the engine throttles during the emergency.
Findings
- The mechanical failure occurred almost immediately after liftoff, near the end of the runway.
- An unidentified system failure was indicated by the activation of the general alarm light.
- The aircraft was in a high-risk flight state, possibly near a stall, prior to the impact.
- The intense post-crash fire prevented a detailed analysis of the engine and instrument components.