Transbrasil
Encyclopedia
TransBrasil is a defunct Brazil
ian airline which ceased operations in December 2001. During most of its history, Transbrasil was owned by local entrepeneur Omar Fontana. Its aircraft usually featured a colorful livery, remarkably with a rainbow on the tail fin. Transbrasil base was Brasilia International Airport
in Brasilia
. From the 70´s and until its demise in 2002, Transbrasil was mostly the third largest Brazilian airline after Varig
and VASP
, serving both domestic and international routes.
as a sister company of S/A Indústria e Comércio Concórdia, better known by its acronym Sadia
. In 1953 Omar Fontana, one of the sons of the founder of Sadia Attilio Fontana noticed a Douglas DC-3
that remained parked at Joaçaba Airport
, near Concórdia
, the whole weekend. Omar Fontana came up with the idea of leasing the aircraft for transporting the products of Sadia to São Paulo
. In 1954 Sadia acquired its first own Douglas DC-3 and flights became daily, having Omar as one of the crew members. However, since it was not an airline with regular schedule, it could not receive subventions from the government. In order to avoid this restriction, on January 5, 1955 he created Sadia S/A – Transportes Aéreos. The first regular flight was operated on March 16, 1956.
Sadia enlarged Concórdia Airport
so that a Douglas DC-3 could operate with full load and created the first route from Concórdia to Videira
, Florianópolis
, São Paulo-Congonhas. A short time later, Sadia was also operating to Londrina
, Bauru
, Ribeirão Preto
and Brasília
.
In November 1957, Sadia established a partnership with Real Transportes Aéreos
and became a feeder airline at Florianópolis. Whereas Linneu Gomes got 50% of the shares of Sadia, Omar Fontana became part of the board of Real, where he got experience. At this time Sadia moved headquarters to São Paulo and expanded services to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and Porto Alegre
. This partnership ended in 1961 with the demise of Real and Fontana bought back the shares he had earlier sold to Gomes.
In 1962 Sadia bought TASSA – Transportes Aéreos Salvador
and increased its presence in Bahia
. In 1967 most of Sadia network was eligible to receive subventions from the Federal government and aiming at those subventions Sadia bought five Handley Page Dart Herald
s. In 1968 Sadia joined the Air bridge , an air shuttle service between Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and São Paulo-Congonhas airports, operated since 1959 by Varig
, Cruzeiro do Sul
and VASP
. This service was abandoned only in 1999.
The first jet in the fleet of Sadia, a BAC One-Eleven
entered into service on September 17, 1970. In 1972 the name of the airline was changed to Transbrasil S/A Linhas Aéreas and its headquarters were moved to Brasília
.
for cargo and passenger service (operated by its affiliated company, Aerobrasil) and 15 leased Boeing 737-300 and -400
. Apart from domestic flights to most of the larger Braziian cities, Transbrasil offered regular and charter service to Miami, Orlando, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Amsterdam, London and even Peking. During some time, due to discounted ticket prices and an aggressive commercial strategy Transbrasil surpassed VASP as the second largest Brazilian airline.
Despite its growing market share Transbrasil was already experiencing finantial problems. In 1987 after a formal request of its chairman Omar Fontana, Brazilian government took over Transbrasil management. However, soon Fontana started to disagree with the Brazilian Air Force officers nominated to run the company and in 1989 the intervention was cancelled. After Fontana stepped out from Trabsbrasil management due to health issues, the company was run by his son-in-law Celso Cipriani - a former police officer with no previous experience on airline management. Cipriani tenure on Transbrasil was controversial, and he has been formally charged with fraud, embezzlement of funds and property and mismanagement since then.
In addition to the management problems, Transbrasil was also facing other difficulties, specially the reduced or no profit from its international routes, severe competition from other companies in the domestic front (specially TAM, a former air taxi company with a growing fleet) and growing expenses. In december 2001 - despite several government loans - Transbrasil was amassing huge debts with several suppliers. When Shell
refused to further supply fuel without payment Transbrasil then ageing and reduced fleet was grounded for good. Finally, in 2003 the company was declared bankrupt after request of one of its major debtors - GE aircraft leasing company.
That same year, the Public Ministry was preparing to file charges against the senior management of the company. The main accused being Celso Cipriani, who allegedly committed crimes that hastened the company's demise.
In 2010, the debt which caused the bankruptcy of Transbrasil was invalidated by the Court of Justice of São Paulo.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian airline which ceased operations in December 2001. During most of its history, Transbrasil was owned by local entrepeneur Omar Fontana. Its aircraft usually featured a colorful livery, remarkably with a rainbow on the tail fin. Transbrasil base was Brasilia International Airport
Brasília International Airport
Brasília-Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport is the airport serving Brasília, Brazil. Since April 22, 1999 the airport is named after Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , the 21st President of Brazil....
in Brasilia
Brasília
Brasília is the capital city of Brazil. The name is commonly spelled Brasilia in English. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the...
. From the 70´s and until its demise in 2002, Transbrasil was mostly the third largest Brazilian airline after Varig
Varig
VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
and VASP
VASP
Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
, serving both domestic and international routes.
The First Years as Sadia (1955–1972)
Transbrasil was born in the State of Santa CatarinaSanta Catarina (state)
Santa Catarina is a state in southern Brazil with one of the highest standards of living in Latin America. Its capital is Florianópolis, which mostly lies on the Santa Catarina Island. Neighbouring states are Rio Grande do Sul to the south and Paraná to the north. It is bounded on the east by...
as a sister company of S/A Indústria e Comércio Concórdia, better known by its acronym Sadia
Sadia
This Food Company was created in Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Its headquarters are also located in the same city.Sadia S.A. is a major Brazilian food producer...
. In 1953 Omar Fontana, one of the sons of the founder of Sadia Attilio Fontana noticed a Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
that remained parked at Joaçaba Airport
Joaçaba Airport
Santa Terezinha Municipal Airport is the airport serving Joaçaba, Brazil.It is operated by the Municipality of Joaçaba.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
, near Concórdia
Concórdia
Concórdia is a city in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. It was founded by colonizers of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, basically descendants of Italians and Germans, who immigrated to Brazil in the 19th century. Concórdia is polo of microrregion of Alto Uruguai Catarinense, in midwest of...
, the whole weekend. Omar Fontana came up with the idea of leasing the aircraft for transporting the products of Sadia to São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
. In 1954 Sadia acquired its first own Douglas DC-3 and flights became daily, having Omar as one of the crew members. However, since it was not an airline with regular schedule, it could not receive subventions from the government. In order to avoid this restriction, on January 5, 1955 he created Sadia S/A – Transportes Aéreos. The first regular flight was operated on March 16, 1956.
Sadia enlarged Concórdia Airport
Concórdia Airport
Olavo Cecco Rigon Airport is the airport serving Concórdia, Brazil.-Accidents and incidents:*6 September 1961: Real Transportes Aéreos, a Douglas C-47-DL registration PP-AVL belonging to Aerovias Brasil, while on visual approach under adverse conditions to Concórdia crashed into a hill 1,500m...
so that a Douglas DC-3 could operate with full load and created the first route from Concórdia to Videira
Videira Airport
Ângelo Ponzoni Airport is the airport serving Videira, Brazil.It is operated by the Municipality of Videira.-History:The airport was inaugurated on November 15, 1949 and it is presently dedicated to general aviation.-Accidents and incidents:...
, Florianópolis
Hercílio Luz International Airport
Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport , is the airport serving Florianópolis, Brazil. It is named after Hercílio Pedro da Luz , 3 times Governor of Santa Catarina and senator.It is operated by Infraero....
, São Paulo-Congonhas. A short time later, Sadia was also operating to Londrina
Londrina Airport
Londrina – Gov. José Richa Airport is the airport serving Londrina, Brazil. It is named after José Richa , former Mayor of Londrina and Governor of Paraná.It is operated by Infraero.-History:...
, Bauru
Bauru Airport
Bauru State Airport is an airport serving Bauru, Brazil.It is operated by DAESP.-History:The airport was built in 1939 but all scheduled traffic was transferred to Moussa Nakhl Tobias Airport, located in the adjoining municipality of Arealva upon its opening in May 2006...
, Ribeirão Preto
Leite Lopes Airport
Dr. Leite Lopes State Airport is the airport serving Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.It is operated by DAESP.-History:Dr. Leite Lopes State Airport was opened on April 2, 1939 and soon after, in 1940, the runway was extended for the first time....
and Brasília
Brasília International Airport
Brasília-Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport is the airport serving Brasília, Brazil. Since April 22, 1999 the airport is named after Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , the 21st President of Brazil....
.
In November 1957, Sadia established a partnership with Real Transportes Aéreos
Real Transportes Aéreos
Real Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1945. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Real was the main carrier....
and became a feeder airline at Florianópolis. Whereas Linneu Gomes got 50% of the shares of Sadia, Omar Fontana became part of the board of Real, where he got experience. At this time Sadia moved headquarters to São Paulo and expanded services to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and Porto Alegre
Salgado Filho International Airport
Salgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
. This partnership ended in 1961 with the demise of Real and Fontana bought back the shares he had earlier sold to Gomes.
In 1962 Sadia bought TASSA – Transportes Aéreos Salvador
TAS – Transportes Aéreos Salvador
TAS – Transportes Aéreos Salvador Ltda. was a Brazilian airline founded in 1949. In 1962 it was sold and incorporated to Sadia Transportes Aéreos.-History:TAS was founded in 1949 as a non-scheduled carrier and flights started in 1950...
and increased its presence in Bahia
Bahia
Bahia is one of the 26 states of Brazil, and is located in the northeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. It is the fourth most populous Brazilian state after São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, and the fifth-largest in size...
. In 1967 most of Sadia network was eligible to receive subventions from the Federal government and aiming at those subventions Sadia bought five Handley Page Dart Herald
Handley Page Dart Herald
The Handley Page Dart Herald was a 1950s British turboprop passenger aircraft.-Design and development:In the mid 1950s the Handley Page Aircraft Company developed a new fast short-range regional airliner, intended to replace the venerable Douglas DC-3, particularly in third-world countries...
s. In 1968 Sadia joined the Air bridge , an air shuttle service between Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and São Paulo-Congonhas airports, operated since 1959 by Varig
Varig
VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
, Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
and VASP
VASP
Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
. This service was abandoned only in 1999.
The first jet in the fleet of Sadia, a BAC One-Eleven
BAC One-Eleven
The British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven, also known as the BAC-111, BAC-1-11 or BAC 1-11, was a British short-range jet airliner of the 1960s and 1970s...
entered into service on September 17, 1970. In 1972 the name of the airline was changed to Transbrasil S/A Linhas Aéreas and its headquarters were moved to Brasília
Brasília
Brasília is the capital city of Brazil. The name is commonly spelled Brasilia in English. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the...
.
Consolidation as Transbrasil (1972–1983)
- 1973 - Transbrasil replaces its ageing Dart Heralds by new Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante light transport turboprops.
- 1974 - Transbrasil starts to phase out its remainder Bandeirantes, Heralds and 1-11s, replacing them with Boeing 727Boeing 727The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
-100. By 1979, its fleet consisted only on 727-100s. - 1983 - Its first Boeing 767-200Boeing 767The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail...
is delivered, and Transbrasil starts its international operations, initially with charter flghts - and from 1989, with regular service - to Miami, OrlandoOrlandoOrlando is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida.Orlando may also refer to-Places:* in Florida** Orlando, a major city** Greater Orlando, the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and Washington D.C..
Apogee and Downturn (1983–2003)
In 1990 Transbrasil fleet consisted on three 767-200, three Boeing 707Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
for cargo and passenger service (operated by its affiliated company, Aerobrasil) and 15 leased Boeing 737-300 and -400
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
. Apart from domestic flights to most of the larger Braziian cities, Transbrasil offered regular and charter service to Miami, Orlando, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Amsterdam, London and even Peking. During some time, due to discounted ticket prices and an aggressive commercial strategy Transbrasil surpassed VASP as the second largest Brazilian airline.
Despite its growing market share Transbrasil was already experiencing finantial problems. In 1987 after a formal request of its chairman Omar Fontana, Brazilian government took over Transbrasil management. However, soon Fontana started to disagree with the Brazilian Air Force officers nominated to run the company and in 1989 the intervention was cancelled. After Fontana stepped out from Trabsbrasil management due to health issues, the company was run by his son-in-law Celso Cipriani - a former police officer with no previous experience on airline management. Cipriani tenure on Transbrasil was controversial, and he has been formally charged with fraud, embezzlement of funds and property and mismanagement since then.
In addition to the management problems, Transbrasil was also facing other difficulties, specially the reduced or no profit from its international routes, severe competition from other companies in the domestic front (specially TAM, a former air taxi company with a growing fleet) and growing expenses. In december 2001 - despite several government loans - Transbrasil was amassing huge debts with several suppliers. When Shell
Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell plc , commonly known as Shell, is a global oil and gas company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is the fifth-largest company in the world according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine and one of the six...
refused to further supply fuel without payment Transbrasil then ageing and reduced fleet was grounded for good. Finally, in 2003 the company was declared bankrupt after request of one of its major debtors - GE aircraft leasing company.
After Bankruptcy (2003–2010)
On 16 September, 2009 the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court began the analysis of the legality of the bankruptcy of Transbrasil. The bankruptcy was confirmed on 2 October 2009.That same year, the Public Ministry was preparing to file charges against the senior management of the company. The main accused being Celso Cipriani, who allegedly committed crimes that hastened the company's demise.
In 2010, the debt which caused the bankruptcy of Transbrasil was invalidated by the Court of Justice of São Paulo.
Fleet
| Aircraft | Total | Years of Operation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas DC-3 Douglas DC-3 The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made... |
11 | 1954–1968 | |
| Curtiss C-46 | 3 | 1956–1967 | |
| Handley Page Dart Herald Handley Page Dart Herald The Handley Page Dart Herald was a 1950s British turboprop passenger aircraft.-Design and development:In the mid 1950s the Handley Page Aircraft Company developed a new fast short-range regional airliner, intended to replace the venerable Douglas DC-3, particularly in third-world countries... |
10 | 1963–1976 | |
| BAC One-Eleven BAC One-Eleven The British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven, also known as the BAC-111, BAC-1-11 or BAC 1-11, was a British short-range jet airliner of the 1960s and 1970s... |
10 | 1971–1978 | |
| Embraer EMB 110 | 6 | 1973–1976 | |
| Boeing 727-100 Boeing 727 The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced... |
22 | 1975– | |
| Boeing 707 Boeing 707 The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on... |
10 | 1982– | |
| Boeing 767-200 Boeing 767 The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail... |
3 | 1983– | |
| Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
1986– | ||
| Boeing 737-400 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
2 | 1988– | |
| Boeing 767-300 Boeing 767 The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail... |
1991– |
Airline Affinity Program
TransPass was Transbrasil's Frequent-flyer program. Points could be used for services from Transbrasil and Interbrasil Star. Points held at the time of the airline's collapse lost their value as no other airline took over the program.As Sadia
- 4 August 1963: a Douglas C-49EDouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
registration PP-SLL en route from JoaçabaJoaçaba AirportSanta Terezinha Municipal Airport is the airport serving Joaçaba, Brazil.It is operated by the Municipality of Joaçaba.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
to VideiraVideira AirportÂngelo Ponzoni Airport is the airport serving Videira, Brazil.It is operated by the Municipality of Videira.-History:The airport was inaugurated on November 15, 1949 and it is presently dedicated to general aviation.-Accidents and incidents:...
crashed into a hill when approaching Videira under poor visibility. All 10 occupants died. - 3 November 1967: a Handley Page Dart Herald 214Handley Page Dart HeraldThe Handley Page Dart Herald was a 1950s British turboprop passenger aircraft.-Design and development:In the mid 1950s the Handley Page Aircraft Company developed a new fast short-range regional airliner, intended to replace the venerable Douglas DC-3, particularly in third-world countries...
registration PP-SDJ flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to Curitiba-Afonso PenaAfonso Pena International AirportAfonso Pena International Airport is the main airport serving Curitiba, Brazil, located in the adjoining municipality of São José dos Pinhais. It is named after Afonso Augusto Moreira Pena , the 6th President of Brazil....
collided with a hill during approach to land at Curitiba. All crew and 21 passengers died, 4 passengers survived.
As Transbrasil
- 22 January 1976: an Embraer EMB 110C BandeiranteEmbraer EMB 110 BandeiranteThe Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
registration PT-TBD operating flight 107 from ChapecóChapeco AirportSerafin Enoss Bertaso Airport is the airport serving Chapecó, Brazil.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:*22 January 1976: a Transbrasil Embraer EMB 110C Bandeirante registration PT-TBD operating flight 107 from Chapecó to Erechim, crashed upon take-off from Chapecó...
to ErechimErechim AirportErechim Airport is the airport serving Erechim, Brazil.It is operated by DAP.-History:In 2010 the whole airport complex received major investments, including renovation of the runway and of the terminal building.-Airlines and destinations:...
, crashed upon take-off from Chapecó. Seven of the nine passengers and crew on board died. - 12 April 1980: a Boeing 727-27CBoeing 727The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
registration PT-TYS operating flight 303Transbrasil Flight 303Transbrasil Flight 303 was a flight from São Paulo-Congonhas to Florianópolis on April 12, 1980. The aircraft was a Boeing 727-27C aircraft, registration PT-TYS with 58 people on board. The aircraft crashed on approach to the Hercilio Luz Airport. Only three individuals survived.-Aircraft:The...
flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to FlorianópolisHercílio Luz International AirportFlorianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport , is the airport serving Florianópolis, Brazil. It is named after Hercílio Pedro da Luz , 3 times Governor of Santa Catarina and senator.It is operated by Infraero....
was on a night instrumental approach to Florianópolis Airport under a severe thunderstorm. The aircraft went off course, struck a hill and exploded. Probable causes are misjudgment of speed and distance, inadequate flight supervision, failure to initiate a go-around and improper operation of the engines. Of the 58 passengers and crew aboard, 3 passengers survived. - 21 March 1989: flight 801, a cargo Boeing 707-349CBoeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
registration PT-TCS, flying from ManausEduardo Gomes International AirportBrigadeiro Eduardo Gomes-Manaus International Airport , is the main airport serving Manaus, Brazil. It is named after the Brazilian politician and military figure Air Marshall Eduardo Gomes ....
to São Paulo-Guarulhos, crashed at the district of Vila Barros in Guarulhos, shortly before touch-down at runway 09R. That day, at 12:00 the runway was going to be closed for maintenance and the crew decided to speed up procedures to touch-down before closure (it was already 11:54). In a hurry, one of the crew members, by mistake, activated the air-dynamic brakes and the aircraft lost too much speed to have enough aerodynamic support (Stall). As a consequence the aircraft crashed at approximately 2 km from the airport. There were 25 fatalities which of these three were crew members and 22 were civilians on the accident site. As well as the 22 fatalities, there were also over 100 injured on the ground.