Investigation Summary
The flight was chartered to transport media personnel to the Campos Basin oil field for a special report. During the approach to Macaé, the flight crew encountered adverse meteorological conditions including rain and low-hanging clouds. Despite these conditions, the crew elected to cancel their IFR flight plan and proceed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). This decision led to the aircraft descending below safe terrain clearance altitudes while the crew lacked sufficient visibility to see and avoid obstacles. The aircraft subsequently impacted São João Hill in the municipality of São Pedro da Aldeia. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) summary noted that the approach was poorly planned and reflected a disregard for standard operating practices.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause was Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). Contributing factors included the crew's poor judgment in attempting a visual descent in weather conditions unsuitable for VFR flight, a poorly planned approach, and the failure to see and avoid terrain. The crew's decision to disregard established operating practices and cancel their IFR flight plan in favor of a visual approach through clouds and rain was central to the accident.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. The crew's transition to VFR in poor visibility was a primary factor in the crash.
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
Regulations that allow for flight in poor visibility by relying on instruments and air traffic control. The crew's cancellation of their IFR plan removed the safety margins provided by these procedures.
Interesting Facts
- 01The flight was chartered by Petrobras to transport television crews from four different Brazilian networks.
- 02All 18 people on board, including 16 passengers and 2 crew members, were killed.
- 03The accident occurred at coordinates 22°32′12″S 42°01′55″W.
- 04The aircraft involved, PP-SBC, had previously been in service with VASP.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Adherence to IFR Procedures
The investigation emphasized the necessity for flight crews to strictly adhere to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) when meteorological conditions do not permit safe visual flight, highlighting that the cancellation of IFR in favor of VFR in poor visibility removes critical safety margins.