Zone

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Ponta de Pedras: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-JXL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Belém - Almeirim
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Belém-Júlio Cesar Ribeiro Airport on a taxi flight to Almeirim, carrying one pilot and eight passengers for the Brazilian company Embratel. Few minutes after takeoff, the pilot informed ATC about engine problems and elected to divert to Abaetetuba Airport for an emergency landing. But shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion near Ponta de Pedras, about 45 km west of Belém. All nine occupants were killed.