Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Safety profile and incident history for Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira.

Safety Score

9.5/10

Total Incidents

146

Total Fatalities

693

Recent Incidents

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Lagoa Santa AFB (Belo Horizonte) Minas Gerais

The crew was conducting a training mission at Lagoa Santa AFB, consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. During the takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command pulled on the control column to initiate the rotation but the aircraft did not respond. It went out of control, veered off runway to the right, struck an embankment, lost its undercarriage and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest in a grassy area. All three occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Teniente Rodolfo Marsh-Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva (King George Island) All Antarctica

The aircraft was completing a supply mission from Punta Arenas, carrying a load of various goods and several passengers and crew members. After touchdown at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh-Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva Airport, the right main gear collapsed, causing the propeller of the engine n°4 to detach. The airplane came to rest on a snow covered runway and all occupants escaped uninjured. The airplane was later parked on the apron and repairs were initiated. Eventually, in early 2017, it was decided to scrap the airplane which was destroyed on site. All debris were placed in a container and later shipped back to Brazil.

Boeing KC-137 Stratoliner

Port-au-Prince-Toussaint Louverture (François Duvalier) West

The aircraft was returning to Manaus (Ponta Pelada AFB) with a crew of 12 and 131 Brazilian soldiers who took part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti (UNSTAMIH). During the takeoff roll on runway 28, an engine caught fire. The Captain aborted the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. The aircraft veered off runway to the left and entered a grassy area. The nose gear was torn off and the aircraft slid for several metres before coming to rest. All 143 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

August 2, 2011 8 Fatalities

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

Bom Jardim da Serra Santa Catarina

The single engine aircraft departed Canoas AFB in Porto Alegre at 1145LT on a flight to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport, carrying six officers and two pilots on behalf of the 5th Air Transport Squadron. While cruising over the State of Santa Catarina, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions when the aircraft impacted a mountain near Bom Jardim da Serra. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 8 occupants were killed.

October 29, 2009 2 Fatalities

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

Aldeias Aurélio Amazonas

The single engine aircraft departed Cruzeiro do Sul on a special flight to Tabatinga, carrying 7 passengers and a crew of four taking part to a support mission of vaccination for the Ministry of Health. En route, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed between the villages of Aldeias Aurélio and Rio Novo, in the Rio Ituí, a tributary of the Rio Javari. Two passengers were killed while 9 other occupants were rescued a day later.

December 26, 2002 3 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Curitiba-Afonso Pena Paraná

The twin engine aircraft departed Campo de Marte AFB near São Paulo on a flight to Porto Alegre with an intermediate stop in Florianópolis, carrying 13 passengers and three crew members. En route to Florianópolis, while in cruising altitude, the crew encountered technical problems, declared an emergency and was cleared to divert to Curitiba-Afonso Pena Airport. On final approach to runway 33, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a grassy area located 3,600 metres short of runway. Two passengers and one pilot were killed while 13 other occupants were injured.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Campo dos Afonsos AFB Rio de Janeiro

While descending to Campo dos Afonsos AFB, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to fog and rain falls. Too low, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located about 15 km southeast of the airbase. All nine occupants were killed.

Cessna 208A Caravan

Brazil All Brazil

The crew was completing a survey flight along the Peru - Brazil border when the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All five occupants were rescued.

May 8, 1998 4 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Barra de Tijuca Rio de Janeiro

The twin engine aircraft departed Campo dos Afonsos AFB on a local paratroopers training mission. In flight, the aircraft suffered a technical problem. All 10 skydivers jumped out then the aircraft went out of control and crashed in Barra de Tijuca, about 12 km south of the airbase. All but one skydivers escaped uninjured, the tenth was killed as his parachute failed to open. All three crew members were killed and one of the stabs was found 1,500 metres from the main wreckage.

April 23, 1998 3 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Resende Rio de Janeiro

The aircraft departed Resende Airport with eight paratroopers and three crew members on board. In altitude, the skydivers bailed out and the crew initiated a descent to return to Resende. On short final, the crew aborted the approach and completed a low pass over the runway. Then the aircraft collided with power cables and crashed near a farm located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. It was reported that the right engine was at idle and its propeller was feathered at the time of impact while the left engine was at full power for unknown reasons.

Avro 748

Navegantes-Itajaí Santa Catarina

After landing at Navegantes-Itajaí Airport, the crew encountered unknown difficulties. The aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a grassy area. All 25 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

November 17, 1996 9 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Caruaru Pernambuco

The aircraft was completing a flight from Salvador to Natal in formation with three other similar aircraft. En route, while in cruising altitude, the aircraft's tail was struck by the propeller of another aircraft positioned behind. A part of the tail detached and the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent before crashing, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed.

August 30, 1996 8 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Queluz São Paulo

The twin engine aircraft departed São José dos Campos Airport at 0840LT on a test flight on behalf of the Brazilian Aeronautics Institute of Technology. On board were six passengers and two pilots. About an hour into the flight, the aircraft struck a mountain located near Queluz. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.

May 19, 1996 4 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Caravelas Bahia

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons, killing all four occupants.

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Ponta Pelada AFB, Manaus Amazonas

The crew was completing a local training flight at Ponta Pelada AFB, Manaus. Upon landing, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest few dozen metres further. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

October 14, 1994 21 Fatalities

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Formosa de Rio Preto Bahia

The four engine aircraft departed Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport at 1600LT on a flight to Belém, carrying 15 passengers and a crew of six. About three hours into the flight, while in cruising altitude, a fire erupted on board. The crew lost control of the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed in an open field located in Formosa de Rio Preto. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 21 occupants were killed.

October 26, 1993 3 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Angra dos Reis Rio de Janeiro

While cruising along the coast, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in the sea off Angra dos Reis. All three crew members were killed.

October 23, 1992 5 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Recife Pernambuco

The crew was taking part to the Aviation Day and was involved in a demonstration mission on behalf of the 2nd Regional Air Command. On approach, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the garden of a military hospital located about 2 km from the airport. All five occupants were killed.

November 29, 1991 16 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Guaratinguetá São Paulo

The twin engine airplane departed Brasília at 0600LT on a flight to Guaratinguetá, carrying high ranking officers who should take part to a military parade. On approach to Guaratinguetá Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Pico dos Marins located 33 km northeast of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 16 occupants were killed.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

Santa Cruz AFB Rio de Janeiro

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off Santa Cruz AFB. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

November 12, 1990 9 Fatalities

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Rio de Janeiro

Shortly after takeoff from runway 15, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right and crashed about 300 meters from the apron, bursting into flames. A crew member was injured while nine other occupants were killed.

July 8, 1988 5 Fatalities

Embraer EMB-120 Brasília

São José dos Campos São Paulo

The crew was completing a local training flight at São José dos Campos Airport. While circling with one engine out, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that crashed near the runway. Five occupants were killed and four others were injured.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

Salvador-Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhães (ex Dois de Julho) Bahia

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. All six occupants were rescued.

December 14, 1987 29 Fatalities

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Vila dos Remédios Pernambuco

The four engine aircraft was completing a flight from Recife to Vila dos Remédios, on Fernando de Noronha Island, carrying six crew of the Brazilian Air Force, two members of the Brazilian Navy, 13 local workers and huit island residents. The approach was initiated by night when the aircraft hit the water surface and crashed in the ocean about 16 km offshore. The aircraft was destroyed and all 29 occupants were killed.

September 8, 1987 9 Fatalities

BAe 125

Carajás-Parauapebas Pará

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft lost height and crashed in a huge explosion. All nine occupants were killed, among them Marcos de Barros Freire, Brazilian minister of Agrarian Reform.

June 16, 1987 1 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Manaus Amazonas

Fifteen minutes after takeoff from Ponta Pelada AFB, en route to Boa Vista, one of the engine lost power. The crew elected to return but as he was unable to maintain a safe altitude, he attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed onto a house. All nine occupants were injured and one people in the house was killed.

March 26, 1987 3 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Campo dos Afonsos AFB Rio de Janeiro

Few minutes after takeoff from Campo de Afonsos AFB, while climbing in clouds, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located few km from the airbase. All three crew members were killed.

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Rio de Janeiro

The Bandeirante departed Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport in the day, carrying 11 skydivers and three crew members who were taking part to an airshow. After all skydivers bailed out, the crew returned to Galeão Airport when he encountered engine problems. On approach to runway 32, the captain decided to ditch the airplane in the Guanabara Bay. All three crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

June 27, 1985 4 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Fortaleza Ceará

The twin engine airplane departed Fortaleza Airport at 0800LT with four crew members on board, taking part to a combined exercise called 'Costeirex Nordeste 85' with the Brazilian Navy. At 1020LT, while flying at a very low height above the sea, one of the wing struck the water surface. The aircraft crashed and sank by a depth of 29 meters about 18 NM off Mucuripe, a district of Fortaleza. All four crew members were killed. One of the wing was found 500 meters from the main wreckage. Crew: Cpt Gildo Zanin Pistolato, Sgt Renato Ribeiro do Santos, Lt Marcelo Luis Lemos, Vinicius Santos do Nascimento.

June 24, 1985 7 Fatalities

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Santa Maria AFB Rio Grande do Sul

The crew was completing a local training flight at Santa Maria AFB. While completing a new circuit, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility was limited due to fog. On final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the ground and disintegrated few km from the airport. All 7 crew members were killed.

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Recife Pernambuco

Crashed in unknown circumstances. The model involved was an Embraer P-95 (EMB-111A).

November 16, 1982 3 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Rio de Janeiro

Less than two minutes after takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport runway 20R, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane hit the Sugarloaf Mountain located about 3,8 km south of the airport. All three occupants were killed.

Embraer EMB-121 Xingu

Brazil All Brazil

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Brazil.

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Campo de Marte AFB (São Paulo) São Paulo

During the takeoff roll at Campo de Marte AFB runway 12, the right engine lost power. The crew decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, struck a perimeter fence, crossed a road and came to rest. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

BAe 125

Brasília Distrito Federal

The crew was completing a local training flight at Brasília Airport when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off.

March 13, 1979 5 Fatalities

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

Florianópolis Santa Catarina

The seaplane departed Florianópolis at 0730LT on a rescue and assistance mission to the crew of another aircraft who was in difficulties over the Santa Catarina Island. About an hour later, while returning to its base, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed in flames in Costeira do Pirajubaé, about 5 km north of Florianópolis Airport. The captain was seriously injured while five other crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Alcione Eliodoro Viana, Lt Roberto Bernardino Navarro, Lt Jean Clovis Fagundes Jucenwiski, 2nd Lt Benedito Antonio Gualdetti, Sgt Jose Carlos dos Santos Pinto, Sgt Gilberto Ombruschi.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

Itacajá Tocantins

En route from Carolina to Florianópolis, while cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the right engine failed due to a major oil leak. The crew of two, the only occupant, shut down the right engine and feathered its propeller. Despite full power was added on the left engine, the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude and was forced to jettison some of the cargo and auxiliary tanks as well. Finally, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field but on short final, the left engine lost power. This caused the undercarriage to be lowered too late and upon touchdown, they were not locked down. The aircraft crash landed and skidded on its belly before coming to rest. While both pilots were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

October 4, 1978 12 Fatalities

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Santo Antônio do Içá Amazonas

Crashed in unknown circumstances while trying to land off Santo Antônio do Içá, Amazonas. All 12 occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Rio Branco Acre

The airplane was completing a flight from Rio Branco to Cruzeiro do Sul, carrying five tons of rice and beans. In unclear circumstances, it struck a truck while taking off and the decision to return was taken. One of the main landing gear could not be lowered so the crew burned the fuel and jettisoned 30 sacks of cargo. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

Ponta Pelada AFB, Manaus Amazonas

The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance flight after a small plane was missing in the region of Roraima. Shortly after takeoff from Ponta Pelada AFB, while in initial climb, the airplane suffered technical problems, stalled and crashed 1,500 meters past the runway end. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

June 3, 1977 18 Fatalities

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Natal Rio Grande do Norte

Crashed while taking off from Natal-Augusto Severo Airport in unknown circumstances. All 18 occupants were killed.

Embraer C-95 Bandeirante

Natal Rio Grande do Norte

Crashed on landing for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Itaparica Bahia

The crew departed Salvador-Dois de Julho Airport in the morning to proceed to a calibration mission. After a flight over the sea, the crew was returning to Salvador when, at an altitude of 1,500 feet, the right engine failed. The crew reduced his altitude and elected to divert to the nearest airport when, at an altitude of 800 feet, the left engine failed as well. In such conditions, the crew ditched the airplane off Itaparica. While both pilots were able to swim to the shore, the aircraft sank and was lost.

March 4, 1975 1 Fatalities

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Peixe Tocantins

Shortly after takeoff from Peixe Aerodrome, the airplane suffered a loss of engine power, stalled and crashed. A crew member was killed while three others were injured.

November 12, 1974 7 Fatalities

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Tomé-Açu Pará

The crew departed Belém-Val-de-Cans Airport bound for Porto Nacional. About 30 minutes into the flight, one of the engine failed. The captain decided to return to Belém for a safe landing but the plane lost altitude and eventually crashed in a wooded area located in Tomé-Açu. All seven crew members were killed.

October 18, 1974 2 Fatalities

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Campo dos Afonsos AFB Rio de Janeiro

Shortly after liftoff at Campo dos Afonsos AFB, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames. Two crew members were killed and two others were injured.

August 20, 1974 6 Fatalities

Beechcraft H18

Salvador-Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhães (ex Dois de Julho) Bahia

On approach to Salvador-Dois de Julho Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed few km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

June 27, 1974 2 Fatalities

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Campo dos Afonsos AFB Rio de Janeiro

Crashed in unknown circumstances while taking off from Campo dos Afonsos Airbase. Both pilots were killed.

April 13, 1972 2 Fatalities

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Humaitá Amazonas

En route from Humaitá to Manaus, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area (jungle) located about 80 km northeast of Humaitá. A passenger and a crew member were killed while eight other occupants were injured.

April 28, 1971 16 Fatalities

Douglas C-118 Liftmaster

Ponta Pelada AFB, Manaus Amazonas

The airplane departed Ponta Pelada AFB in Manaus for Rio de Janeiro, carrying Brazilian soldiers and their family members. About 20 minutes into the flight, the crew encountered technical problems with one of the right engine and decided to return to Manaus for a safe landing. After touchdown, one of the right engine caught fire and exploded. The pilot-in-command stopped the airplane that was on fire. 36 occupants evacuated safely and were unhurt while 33 others were wounded. 16 occupants were killed and the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.

Airline Information

Country of Origin

United States of America

Risk Level

Low Risk

Common Aircraft in Incidents

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)24
Embraer C-95 Bandeirante19
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina12
North American B-25 Mitchell10
Lockheed C-130 Hercules7
Beechcraft D187
Douglas A-20 Havoc5
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan5
Lockheed P-2 Neptune4
Lockheed L-414 Hudson4