Fourteen people die in Brazil when plane carrying tourists crashes ‘due to pilot error while attempting to land during a rain storm’
- The 12 passengers and two crew members – all men – flew from Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, to Barcelos, a 90-minute flight upriver.
- The plane crashed while trying to land, killing all on board: locals said it was raining very heavily at the time
- Wilson Lima, the governor of Amazonas state, confirmed the deaths of all on board and said they were Brazilian tourists on a fishing trip
Twelve Brazilian men who flew into the Amazon during a fishing trip have died in a plane crash, along with the pilot and co-pilot of their small jet.
The accident took place on Saturday morning in the province of Barcelos, about 400 kilometers from the capital Manaus.
The airline Manaus Aerotaxi confirmed that all aboard the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante, a light turboprop aircraft, died in the crash.
“I deeply regret the deaths of the 12 passengers and two crew members who were victims of the plane crash in Barcelos on Saturday,” said Wilson Lima, governor of Amazonas state.
‘From the start, our teams have been working to provide the necessary support. My condolences and prayers go out to their families and friends.”
A light plane with 14 people on board – 12 passengers, a pilot and a co-pilot – crashed in the Amazon on Saturday
The plane crashed in heavy rain, the governor of Amazonas state confirmed
State Security Secretary of Amazonas, Colonel Vinicius Almeida (C), flanked by the commander of the Seventh Regional Air Command (VII COMAR), David Almeida (L) and the mayor of Barcelos, Edson Mendes, speaks during a press conference in Manaus on Saturday to discuss the crash
Lima said the bodies had already been recovered from the plane and that the victims were Brazilian tourists.
Lima also added that the region is experiencing heavy rainfall and that the most likely cause of the accident was an error in the route followed at the time of landing.
The airline said it was investigating but did not provide details of any deaths or injuries.
“We count on respecting the privacy of those involved at this difficult time and will be available to provide any necessary information and updates as the investigation progresses,” the statement said.
The Brazilian Air Force said in a statement that investigators from the Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) had been called in to begin an investigation.