Country
Crash of an Embraer EMB-120ER Brasília in Rio Branco: 23 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 30, 2002 at 1800 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PT-WRQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cruzeiro do Sul – Tarauacá – Rio Branco
MSN:
120-043
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
RLE4823
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Captain / Total hours on type:
4560.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3585
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Tarauacá, the crew started the descent to Rio Branco-Presidente Médici Airport in limited visibility due to the night and rain falls. On final, the aircraft descended below the MDA and, at a speed of 130 knots, struck the ground and crashed in a field located 4 km short of runway 06. The aircraft was totally destroyed. Eight passengers were rescued while 23 other occupants were killed, among them the Brazilian politician Ildefonço Cardeiro.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach in poor weather conditions and descended below the MDA until the aircraft, in a flaps and gear down configuration, impacted ground. The following contributing factors were identified:
- A difference of 70 feet in the settings was noted between both pilot's altimeters,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Complacency on part of the flying crew caused several deviations from procedures during the approach,
- Lack of crew resources management,
- The crew failed to check the altitude during the final stage of the approach,
- Poor weather conditions.
- A difference of 70 feet in the settings was noted between both pilot's altimeters,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Complacency on part of the flying crew caused several deviations from procedures during the approach,
- Lack of crew resources management,
- The crew failed to check the altitude during the final stage of the approach,
- Poor weather conditions.
Final Report:
Ground accident of an Embraer EMB-120RT Brasília in Manaus
Date & Time:
Aug 13, 2002 at 1225 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PT-WGE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Humaitá – Manaus
MSN:
120-004
YOM:
1986
Flight number:
RLE4847
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
518.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3660
Aircraft flight hours:
26756
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Humaitá, the crew completed the landing at Manaus-Eduardo Gomes Airport. After taxi, the crew was approaching the apron when he feathered the propellers and applied the brakes as they wanted to stop the aircraft. There was no deceleration despite both crew applied brakes. The copilot suggested to use reverse thrust but this was not possible as the propellers were already feathered. Out of control, the aircraft struck a brick building, damaging the left engine, and the right landing gear fell into a drainage ditch, approximately one meter deep. All 25 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- The crew did not have sufficient training to enable the desired assertiveness for the correct use of aircraft resources, which would probably have prevented the accident, since, instead of applying the emergency brake, they applied reverse with the feathered props, contrary to the procedure provided for in the Aircraft Manual.
- The maintenance services were not efficient, as they did not comply with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual in relation to the dimensional adjustment of the Hub Cap Drive Clips' drive clips, and the Service Bulletin incorporated stickers to the outer doors of the main landing gear, as a reminder to the mechanic to check the clearances.
- The copilot failed to apply the reverse pitch on the propellers as they were feathered, and at that moment the emergency brake should be commanded to brake the aircraft.
- The company failed to adequately check the execution of the actions provided for in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual regarding the 'Antiskid' system and to verify the application of all service bulletins issued by the manufacturer.
- The crew did not have sufficient training to enable the desired assertiveness for the correct use of aircraft resources, which would probably have prevented the accident, since, instead of applying the emergency brake, they applied reverse with the feathered props, contrary to the procedure provided for in the Aircraft Manual.
- The maintenance services were not efficient, as they did not comply with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual in relation to the dimensional adjustment of the Hub Cap Drive Clips' drive clips, and the Service Bulletin incorporated stickers to the outer doors of the main landing gear, as a reminder to the mechanic to check the clearances.
- The copilot failed to apply the reverse pitch on the propellers as they were feathered, and at that moment the emergency brake should be commanded to brake the aircraft.
- The company failed to adequately check the execution of the actions provided for in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual regarding the 'Antiskid' system and to verify the application of all service bulletins issued by the manufacturer.
Final Report:
