Movies

The Shocking Truth Behind Brazil’s Deadliest Plane Crash Revealed

BBG News

On July 17, 2007, Brazil experienced its most catastrophic aviation accident: the crash of a TAM Airlines plane that resulted in the loss of 199 lives. This event is also recognized as the largest aviation disaster in Latin America and is featured in the Brazilian documentary series A Tragedy Foretold, set to premiere on Netflix on April 23, amid a surge of safety concerns regarding air travel in the United States.

On that fateful day of the crash, the plane – a TAM-operated Airbus A320 – experienced difficulties during landing at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo. Instead of touching down smoothly, it overshot the runway and struck a TAM building and a gas station located on Washington Luís Avenue. This impact triggered an explosion.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’d say this three-part docuseries delves into the intriguing tale surrounding the fateful crash, shedding light on the condition of Brazilian aviation at the time, the chain of events that culminated in the catastrophe, and the ultimate fate of those who were held accountable.

Brazil’s “aviation blackout”

In 2007, I found myself in the midst of a challenging time for Brazil’s air travel industry. It was during this period that we faced an unprecedented crisis often referred to as the “aviation blackout.” This ordeal lasted from 2006 to 2007 and was characterized by extensive flight delays, cancellations, and airport turmoil. This turbulence affected countless travelers like myself.

As a seasoned movie critic, I’ve seen my fair share of blockbusters that crumble under the weight of poor planning and neglected maintenance. In this particular case, the chaos unfolding at our skies is no different. The root cause? A chronic lack of investment in airport infrastructure and air traffic control systems, a consequence of years of budgetary constraints. This neglect has led to abysmal working conditions and wages for the unsung heroes – air traffic controllers.

strikes and work-to-rule protests, where they adhere to rules so rigidly that it slows down operations to a crawl. All the while, passenger numbers continue to surge, outpacing the infrastructure’s ability to adapt and expand. It’s like watching a thriller where the protagonist refuses to see the danger lurking around the corner until it’s too late.

After the tragic collision between Gol Flight 1907 and another aircraft on September 29, 2006, which resulted in the loss of every passenger and crew member, the situation became increasingly tense within the aviation industry. This unfortunate incident raised concerns among professionals. Some air traffic controllers were put under investigation for possible operational lapses, leaving no replacements to take over. As a result, remaining controllers had to handle even heavier workloads, exacerbating the strain. They called for improved working conditions and the immediate recruitment of additional staff.

The worst accident in Brazil’s aviation history

6:48 p.m., Brazil time on July 17, 2007, an Airbus A320 (now known as LATAM) was coming in for a landing at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo. It had taken off from Salgado Filho Airport in Porto Alegre earlier. However, the runway was wet and lacked grooves due to recent improvements, which aid aircraft in braking more efficiently. Unfortunately, the landing attempt was unsuccessful. The Airbus overshot the runway and crashed into a TAM cargo facility situated opposite the airport.

199 lives were tragically lost when the plane detonated, claiming the lives of 181 passengers, six flight personnel, and 12 bystanders who were either on the ground or in the nearby structure. Afterwards, the building was destroyed and transformed into a memorial for the deceased, consisting of 199 beams of light.

In this documentary series, relatives share memories of the fateful day of the accident and the heart-wrenching ordeal of identifying the remains. Unfortunately, some families couldn’t lay their loved ones to rest immediately because some victims’ bodies were reduced to fragments in the crash. Remarkably, others were discovered as late as 30 days following the accident.

The causes of the crash

Three Brazilian organizations conducted an investigation into the unfortunate incident: CENIPA (Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents), among them. They determined that a mix-up between human and operational mistakes led to the catastrophe. In the report, it was found that during the landing sequence, the pilots had only adjusted one engine throttle lever to idle, while the other remained in climb position. This confusion led the aircraft’s system to believe they were preparing for takeoff rather than braking. A crucial recording from the cockpit voice recorder revealed the pilots mentioning that just one of their controls seemed to be functioning properly.

Among other factors were a silent warning for throttle setup errors and deficiencies in crew training, which largely depended on online lessons. Despite his extensive experience, the co-pilot had minimal flight hours with A320 aircraft. Moreover, there was no restriction prohibiting Congonhas landings when the thrust reverser wasn’t functioning—even during rainy weather.

In a proactive role, CENIPA chose not to identify the individuals involved. Nevertheless, their report served as valuable input for subsequent inquiries conducted by both the Civil Police and Federal Police. These separate entities arrived at distinct findings regarding accountability.

Who was held responsible?

At first, the Civil Police charged a total of 10 individuals, which included staff members from Infraero, the National Civil Aviation Agency, and TAM Airlines. Later on, the State Public Prosecutor’s Office added another name to the list, bringing the number of formally accused individuals to 11.

Instead of moving forward in state court, the case was shifted to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office due to its connection with an aviation safety crime, which falls under federal control. The Federal Police then assumed responsibility for the investigation, resulting in indictments against only Kleyber Lima and Henrique Stefanini Di Sacco, the two pilots involved.

Despite the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office filing charges, prosecutor Rodrigo de Grandis opted to accuse three other individuals: Marco Aurélio dos Santos de Miranda e Castro, who is TAM’s Director of Flight Safety; Alberto Fajerman, TAM’s Vice President of Operations; and Denise Abreu, the head of Anac (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil).

In 2014, Fajerman was found not guilty because there wasn’t enough evidence against him. In 2015, Denise Abreu, Marco Aurélio, and a third defendant were cleared of intentional manslaughter charges, as the prosecution claimed they allowed the plane to fly in hazardous conditions. However, all three were ultimately acquitted.

What changed after the tragedy?

CENIPA’s report proposed 83 safety measures, targeting the International Civil Aviation Organization, Anac, Congonhas Airport, Airbus, and TAM. One significant adjustment suggested was the implementation of warning systems that combine visual and auditory alerts to notify pilots about potential throttle misalignments. At the time of the accident, Airbus had invented this device but hadn’t made it compulsory for installation due to the high cost associated with a recall.

At Congonhas Airport, the significant modification involved re-paving the runway, incorporating transverse grooves and a porous skid-resistant coating to enhance water runoff and minimize the chance of sliding. To ensure safety, the operational length of the primary runway was decreased to 1,660 meters, making space for safety zones. In terms of pilot education, the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) mandated specific minimum training requirements focusing on braking system malfunctions.

Despite a rise in air accidents being reported in recent times, with 2024 standing out as the most tragic year with 138 fatalities due to 40 fatal crashes – the highest since 2014 for Brazilian aviation – it’s important to note that these statistics encompass a variety of aircraft types, including helicopters and ultralights. This information comes from data compiled by the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention System managed by the Brazilian Air Force.

For commercial flights like TAM Flight 3054, it was the first fatal accident that had happened since the 2007 disaster, and this unfortunate event took place in August 2024.

During that period, flight number 2283, an ATR 72-500 operated by Voepass, tragically collided in Vinhedo, São Paulo, claiming the lives of 62 passengers. Previously, Brazil had enjoyed a 17-year span without any fatal accidents in commercial aviation—a fact that underscores the enduring effectiveness of many safety measures implemented post-TAM crash.

Read More

2025-04-23 15:06

Previous post Andor’s perfect second season proves that the series is the best Star Wars show – with no contest
Next post Clash Royale Crown Chase April 2025 Community Event: Progression and Rewards explained