Fourteen people die in Brazil when a plane carrying tourists crashes “due to pilot error while attempting to land during a rainstorm.”
- 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 attempting to land, killing everyone on board. Locals said it was raining very heavily at the time
- Wilson Lima, the governor of Amazonas state, confirmed the deaths of everyone on board and said they were Brazilian tourists on a fishing trip
Twelve Brazilian men who were flying to the Amazon on a fishing trip have died in a plane crash along with the pilot and co-pilot of their small plane.
The accident occurred Saturday morning in Barcelos province, about 248 miles from the country’s capital Manaus.
Manaus Aerotaxi airline confirmed that everyone on board the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante light turboprop aircraft died in the crash.
“I deeply regret the deaths of the twelve passengers and two crew members who were victims of the plane crash in Barcelos on Saturday,” said Wilson Lima, governor of the state of Amazonas.
“Our teams have worked from the outset to provide the necessary support.” My condolences and prayers go out to their families and friends.”
A small plane carrying 14 people – 12 passengers, a pilot and a co-pilot – crashed in the Amazon on Saturday
The governor of the state of Amazonas confirmed that the plane crashed in heavy rain
An EMB-110P1 Manaus airport operator was located approximately in the vicinity of Barcelos and Amazonas airport. 14 almas per bordo. Não há sobreviventes. Our passengers were American tourists.
Chovia muito forte at the moment of acidity.pic.twitter.com/YDQkfR1BAz
— Mölter™ 🚁✈️ (@MolterGui) September 16, 2023
Amazonas State Security Minister Col. Vinicius Almeida (center) speaks about the crash during a news conference Saturday in Manaus, flanked by Seventh Regional Air Command (VII COMAR) commander David Almeida (center) and Barcelos Mayor Edson Mendes speak
Lima said the bodies had already been removed from the plane and that the victims were Brazilian tourists.
Lima also added that the region is exposed to heavy rainfall and the most likely cause of the accident was an error in the route at the time of landing.
The airline said it was investigating but did not comment on any deaths or injuries.
“We count on respect for the privacy of those involved during 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.