Investigation Summary
On the morning of January 28, 1986, São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport was experiencing significant visibility restrictions due to intense fog. The aircraft involved, a Boeing 737-2A1, had its first flight on July 16, 1969, making it 16 years and 7 months old at the time of the accident. The airport had only been open for approximately one year, and the crew was reportedly unfamiliar with the specific layout of the new facility's taxiways and runways. During taxi, the pilots mistakenly lined the Boeing 737 up with a taxiway parallel to Runway 09L. They commenced the takeoff roll on this taxiway. As the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 135 knots, the crew recognized they were not on the runway and attempted to abort the takeoff. The aircraft could not be stopped within the remaining paved surface, traveling off the end of the taxiway and colliding with an earthen dyke. The structural failure of the forward fuselage caused fatal injuries to one passenger, though all four crew members survived.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by the flight crew's loss of situational awareness in low visibility, leading to an attempted takeoff from a taxiway. Contributing factors included the pilots' lack of familiarity with the relatively new airport configuration. It has also been reported that the absence of ground radar or taxiway guidance vehicles may have played a role, though these specific factors have been subject to verification challenges in available records.
Video Analysis
VASP 210, O estranho ACIDENTE ESQUECIDO — A detailed look at the unusual 1986 accident where a VASP Boeing 737 attempted to take off from a taxiway at the then-new Guarulhos Airport.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Ground Radar
The airport lacked ground radar at the time, which could have allowed controllers to detect the aircraft's incorrect position on the taxiway.
Taxiway Lighting and Signage
The crew's disorientation was exacerbated by the dense fog and the configuration of the new airport's ground markings.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was 16 years and 7 months old at the time of the accident.
- 02The Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) for the aircraft was 20096/190.
- 03The takeoff was aborted at a speed of approximately 135 knots (250 km/h).
- 04The airport had been inaugurated only one year prior to the accident.
- 05The aircraft was written off due to the severity of the fuselage damage.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Airport Infrastructure Improvements
Source ↗Following the accident, the need for ground radar and improved taxiway guidance systems at the newly opened Guarulhos International Airport was highlighted to prevent navigation errors in low visibility conditions.