 A Cessna 208 similar to the one involved in the accident | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 October 2023 |
| Summary | Crashed shortly after take-off; under investigation |
| Site | Near Rio Branco International Airport, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Cessna 208B |
| Operator | ART Táxi Aéreo |
| Registration | PT-MEE |
| Flight origin | Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil |
| Destination | Envira, Amazonas, Brazil |
| Occupants | 12 |
| Passengers | 10 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 12 |
| Survivors | 0 |
On 29 October 2023, a Cessna 208B utility aircraft operated by ART Táxi Aéreo crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff from Rio Branco International Airport, killing all 12 people on board.[1]
Accident
The aircraft took off from Rio Branco bound for Envira, Amazonas. Some passengers were traveling to receive medical treatment. At around 6:30 a.m., the flight took off but soon after, it crashed into a wooded area just after the runway. The aircraft exploded on impact, killing all twelve passengers and crew on board.[2] Samu ambulances, military police vehicles and a Ciopaer helicopter traveled to the location of the accident to assist with the actions. The firefighters' work was made difficult as the crash occurred in a difficult to access location.[1]
Aircraft
The aircraft was a Cessna 208B, with registration number PT-MEE, manufactured in 1993. According to the National Civil Aviation Agency, the plane was in good standing and had authorization to fly an air taxi, with its certificate of airworthiness valid until August 2024.[3] One of the passengers of the accident flight reported that the aircraft had "problems" on a previous flight.[4]
Passengers and crew
The passengers included six men, three women and a baby aged one year and seven months. The pilot and co-pilot had experience and were trained according to the ART company lawyer.[1] Of the 12 occupants on the flight, seven were from the city of Eirunepé, in the interior of Amazonas. Other residents were from Envira, the plane's destination.[4] According to the Acre State Government, the victims were burned to death.[citation needed]
Investigation
The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center was activated and the government of Acre said that an investigation will be conducted.[1]
See also
- 2023 Manaus Aerotáxi Embraer Bandeirante crash – crashed while approaching another airport in the Amazon, killing all 14 on board
References
- ^ a b c d "Queda de avião mata 12 pessoas em Rio Branco, no Acre". G1 (in Portuguese). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "12 people die in a plane crash in the Brazilian Amazon". Associated Press. 29 October 2023.
- ^ "Avião que caiu no Acre estava em situação regular, segundo Anac". G1 (in Portuguese). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Veja quem são as 12 vítimas de avião que caiu no Acre". UOL. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.