Sikorsky S-76A Crashes into Terrain in Santa Catarina

Casualties unknown • PENHA, SC, BR

A Sikorsky S-76A helicopter crashed into Morro do Pires, killing all five occupants after the crew attempted to maintain visual flight conditions in low visibility.

What happened

On August 2, 2000, a Sikorsky S-76A helicopter, registration PT-HRD, operated by Líder Táxi Aéreo, crashed into Morro do Pires in Penha, Santa Catarina. The flight originated from Cubatão, São Paulo, with a flight plan intended for Navegantes, Santa Catarina, to perform administrative transport and crew changes.

During the flight, the crew encountered a low cloud layer. While the destination airport was operating under visual flight rules (VFR), the crew decided to descend from 1,0 and00 feet to 500 feet to maintain visual contact with the sea and coastline. While flying at approximately 700 feet, the aircraft struck the terrain. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and five fatalities.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the crew's decision to continue flight under VFR in weather conditions that did not permit it, driven by an excessive motivation to maintain visual references. This was compounded by poor cockpit coordination and a lack of effective communication between the pilot and the co-pilot.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2000-08-02 aircraft accident near PENHA, SC, BR?

A Sikorsky S-76A helicopter crashed into Morro do Pires, killing all five occupants after the crew attempted to maintain visual flight conditions in low visibility.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2000-08-02 involved a aircraft, registration PTHRD, at PENHA, SC, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew's decision to continue flight under VFR in weather conditions that did not permit it, driven by an excessive motivation to maintain visual references. This was compounded by poor cockpit coordination and a lack of effective communication between the pilot and the co-pilot.

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