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Crash of an ATR42-300 in São Paulo

Date & Time: Jul 16, 2007 at 1242 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-MFK
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Araçatuba – Bauru – São Paulo
MSN:
225
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
PTN4763
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7420
Captain / Total hours on type:
4993.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
947
Copilot / Total hours on type:
797
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Araçatuba on a flight to São Paulo with an intermediate stop in Bauru, carrying 21 passengers and a crew of four. After touchdown on wet runway 17R at Congonhas Airport, the crew started the braking procedure when the aircraft deviated to the left and veered off runway. While contacting soft ground, the aircraft collided with a concrete block housing the electrical device supplying the runway light system. On impact, the nose gear was torn off and the aircraft came to rest. All 25 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon landing after the aircraft suffered aquaplaning. The following contributing factors were identified:
- A light rain caused the presence of water on the runway, enabling the occurrence of hydroplaning.
- The accumulation of water on the surface of the runway, as a result of inadequate drainage, lack of "grooving", enabled the hydroplaning.
- The pilot applied full pressure on the right pedal, generating a force to the left that contributed to the departure off the runway.
- During hydroplaning, the pilot should not apply pedal to the opposite side to which the aircraft slides; this fact was not covered during the instruction of the pilot.
- In the face of hydroplaning, the pilot applied the right pedal, aggravating the departure of the aircraft to the left.
Final Report:

Ground fire of an ATR42-320 in Mucuri

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1999 at 1818 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-MFI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
São Paulo – Mucuri
MSN:
302
YOM:
1992
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10500
Captain / Total hours on type:
3550.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
799
Circumstances:
On approach to Mucuri-Itabatã Airport runway 05, the right engine caught fire. The crew followed the checklist, continued the approach and completed a safe landing. After touchdown, the aircraft slightly deviated to the right and came to rest, bursting into flames. All 14 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the engine fire was the consequence of the failure of a fuel burner.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-120RT Brasília in Vilhena

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1997 at 0044 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-MFC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Campo Grande - Vilhena
MSN:
120-206
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
PTN126
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9280
Captain / Total hours on type:
2501.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4153
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1988
Circumstances:
En route from Campo Grande to Vilhena, while in cruising altitude, the crew received the last weather bulletin about Vilhena with conditions below minimums. The copilot (under line check on this flight) suggested to divert to the alternate airport but the captain/instructor preferred to attempt an approach via Echo 1 and the NDB for runway 03. If visual contact would not be established at decision height, the crew would divert to the alternate airport. Then the copilot set the decision height at 2,500 feet which was wrong as the correct decision height was fixed at 2,560 feet. Nor the copilot nor the captain realized this mistake prior to start the descent to Vilhena Airport. On approach, the copilot was told by captain to monitor the horizon. He focused his attention on the horizon and failed to monitor the altimer. On his side, the captain elected to establish a visual contact with the ground and the runway light but is was later confirmed that the city of Vilhena suffered a general blackout. On final, the aircraft descended below MDA then struck trees and crashed less than one km from the runway threshold, bursting into flames. All 16 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Poor crew coordination,
- Wrong approach configuration,
- The crew's attention was focused on their respective tasks without monitoring the approach configuration, causing the aircraft to descent below the glide,
- The captain/instructor failed to supervise properly the copilot's manoeuvres,
- No approach briefing,
- Lack of visibility due to a general blackout.

Final Report: