Heavy rainfall and poor visibility likely caused the pilot to misjudge the landing route, officials say.
Fourteen Lives Lost as Small Jet Crashes in Brazil’s Northern Amazonas State
Tragedy struck as a small jet crashed in the northern Amazonas state of Brazil, resulting in the loss of fourteen lives. The ill-fated aircraft, navigating through adverse weather conditions, approached the tourist town of Barcelos in the midst of heavy rain and limited visibility. Preliminary reports suggest that the pilot inadvertently initiated the landing halfway down the runway, ultimately causing the plane to overrun the landing strip and crash. Distressing images from the scene depicted the white jet belly-down on a dirt track, its front end crumpled amid dense vegetation.
Expressing his condolences, Wilson Lima, the Governor of Amazonas state, took to social media, stating, “I deeply regret the death of the 12 passengers and two crew members who were victims of the plane crash in Barcelos on Saturday. Our teams have been working tirelessly to provide the necessary support. My sympathy and prayers go out to their families and friends.” Lima further shared with O Globo newspaper that the deceased individuals were all Brazilian tourists. The region has been grappling with heavy rainfall, and it is speculated that the accident may have occurred due to an error in the flight path during landing.
🚨 Vídeos mostram avião logo após queda em Barcelos (AM) pic.twitter.com/zQz1NxJFbO
— Metrópoles (@Metropoles) September 16, 2023
The Manaus Aerotaxi airline acknowledged the incident in a statement and confirmed an ongoing investigation. However, no specific details were disclosed. Their statement conveyed, “We count on respect for the privacy of those involved at this difficult time and will be available to provide all necessary information and updates as the investigation progresses.”
The Brazilian Air Force has also joined the efforts to determine the cause of the crash involving the small aircraft, identified as an Embraer Bandeirante with the registration PT-SOG.
Barcelos, situated on the Rio Negro, an Amazon tributary, shares borders with several national parks and protected areas. The region is currently in the peak season for fishing, attracting enthusiasts seeking to catch tropical river species. Amazonas, largely enveloped by dense rainforests, is renowned as an adventure travel destination and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, according to Amazonastur, the state’s tourism company.