Twenty-four of the 28 occupants on board an Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante air taxi have been confirmed dead after the twin-engined aircraft crashed in the Brazilian Amazon.
Manaus Aerotaxi, the operator of the aircraft, says four occupants survived yesterday's accident near Manacapuru, on the northern shore of a major Amazon tributary some 75km west of Manaus.
A spokesman for the Forca Aerea Brasileira states the aircraft made an "emergency landing in the river" and that 24 bodies have been recovered. Both pilots are reportedly among the fatalities.
The EMB-110, which is typically configured to carry around 21 passengers, had been heading for Manaus after departing Coari, about 360km west-southwest.
Forca Aerea Brasileira says there was a "sudden loss of radar contact and communications" with the aircraft.
Manaus Aerotaxi says the crash occurred at 13:50 local time. "Circumstances and the cause of the accident are being determined by the competent authorities," it says. "Manaus Aerotaxi is providing all assistance to the rescued passengers and relatives of the victims."
Embraer has confirmed the identity of the aircraft as serial number 110352, bearing registration PT-SEA. It says it has made a technical team available to the Brazilian investigation agency CENIPA and is "closely following all developments".
Weather conditions at the time of the accident are uncertain. Unconfirmed reports claim the aircraft had been attempting to land at a local airfield, about 500m from the crash site.
Source: Flight International
