South America

On a flight from Porto Alegre to Rio de Janeiro, while cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The crew did not send any distress call. The aircraft descended with a rate of 20,000 feet per minute. At an altitude of 1,500 feet, it disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed. Both pilots were killed.

The twin engine aircraft departed Resende Airport with 12 paratroopers and four crew members on board. Few minutes after takeoff, all 12 passengers jumped out and the crew continued to Guaratinguetá. While descending to Guaratinguetá Airport, the crew was informed by ATC about poor weather conditions at destination and was instructed to divert to São José dos Campos Airport. The crew initiated a go-around procedure but failed to follow the published go-around procedure and initiated a turn to the wrong direction when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Alto Cerco (1,500 metres high) located about 30 km north of Guaratinguetá Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

While on a cargo flight from La Rioja to Buenos Aires, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to divert to Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella Airport. On final approach, both engines failed and the pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a field located 1,200 metres short of runway. It slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest in a grassy area. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

During the takeoff roll at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, the captain realized that all conditions were not met for a safe takeoff and decided to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest in the Guanabara Bay. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

During the takeoff roll un runway 31 at Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, at a speed of 130 knots, the crew heard two explosions. As the aircraft started to vibrate, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, rolled for 497 metres then lost its nose gear and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

While approaching Joinville Airport at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the crew canceled his IFR flight plan and continued under VFR mode. Few minutes later, the crew encountered atmospheric turbulences and lost control of the aircraft that crashed near Gavura, about 24 km northwest of Joinville Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Jacobina Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The crew initiated a sharp turn to the left when the aircraft lost height, struck an electric pole and crashed near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

On March 28, 1997, about 0803 eastern standard time, a Beech E-90, N90DA, registered to a private individual, landed short of the runway at Huaypetue Airport, Choque, Peru, while on a foreign air taxi flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot and six passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Cuzco, Peru, the same day, about 0700. Civil Aviation Authorities stated that while on approach to land the pilot misjudged the distance from the runway and touched down short of the runway. Postcrash examination of the aircraft showed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.

After takeoff from Pereira-Matecaña Airport, while climbing, the copilot declared an emergency and reported problems. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near La Felisa. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

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.