2023 Rio Branco Cessna Grand Caravan crash

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2023 ART Táxi Aéreo Cessna Grand Caravan crash
A Cessna 208 similar to the one involved in the accident
Accident
Date29 October 2023 (2023-10-29)
SummaryCrashed shortly after take-off; under investigation
SiteNear Rio Branco International Airport, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil
Aircraft
Aircraft typeCessna 208B
OperatorART Táxi Aéreo
RegistrationPT-MEE
Flight originRio Branco, Acre, Brazil
DestinationEnvira, Amazonas, Brazil
Occupants12
Passengers10
Crew2
Fatalities12
Survivors0

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center was activated and the government of Acre said that an investigation will be conducted.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "12 people die in a plane crash in the Brazilian Amazon". Associated Press. 29 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Avião que caiu no Acre estava em situação regular, segundo Anac". G1 (in Portuguese). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Veja quem são as 12 vítimas de avião que caiu no Acre". UOL. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.