9/30/2006 - Mid Air Collision Confirmed, Brazilian Wreckage Found
SAO PAULO, Brazil - The Brazilian airport authority has reported wreckage of a Brazilian passenger jet was found today. The crash site identified as Mato Grosso is an area that presents a significant difficulty to access, reported Brazilian Television station "GLOBO".
Embraer aircraft manufacturers said in a public statement that a Legacy 600 executive jet was being operated by one of their clients when it collided with the Gol Airlines flight 1907 Boeing 737, transporting 155 passengers. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was new and delivered to Gol on Sept. 12 according to officials. The plane has only logged 200 hours of flight time, Gol said.
-Boeing file image-
The Legacy 600 was reported to have made an emergency landing at Cachimbo Air Force Base with damage to one of its wings and tail. There are no known injuries to the five passengers aboard, said Defense Minister Waldir Pires.
-Embraer Legacy file image-
Even though the control tower radar showed the airplanes to be flying 1,000 feet apart in altitude, the Legacy 600 pilot said he never saw the jet liner until too late and then, it was like a shadow, he felt a bump and then saw he had lost part of one of the craft's wings according to news reports. Minister Waldir Pires assured passenger family members that all efforts are being made to access the wreckage located deep in the jungle.
In a second statement Embraer said today: Embraer is deeply moved by the accident involving the 737-800 aircraft built by Boeing, flown by Gol Linhas Aéreas, and a Legacy 600 executive jet, built by Embraer and owned by one of its customers, during a transflight abroad. Embraer joins in heartfelt sympathy with the families of the victims and Gol Linhas Aérea at this painful moment.
Once again, the Company reaffirms its full support to aeronautical authorities for the investigations leading to an explanation of the causes of the accident and has sent a team to the accident site.
More information will be available when rescue workers and investigators access the crash sight. -Staff Report
FMI: Dominican Today , Embraer.com
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