VASP Cargo Flight 780

VASP Cargo Flight 780 was a scheduled cargo flight from Rio Branco, Brazil to Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. On 22 June 1992, the aircraft operating the flight impacted terrain on approach to Cruzeiro do Sul Airport, killing all three occupants onboard. The investigation found that the crew had lost situational awareness after they were distracted by the sound of a fire warning bell in the cockpit, which indicated a fire somewhere on the aircraft, resulting in neither crew member checking the plane's altitude until it impacted terrain.

Accident

The cargo onboard included two brand-new motorcycles, two air conditioning units, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, mail, documents, cigarettes, shoes, margarine and cosmetics.

At approximately 00:40, the aircraft requested clearance to leave flight level 310 (31,000 feet, 9,450 meters), which was granted. Upon initiating the Delta 1 procedure to land on runway 10 at Cruzeiro do Sul, the cargo compartment smoke alarm began to sound at intervals of approximately three repetitions per minute. Captain Dárcio asked flight engineer Mauro to check and activate the fire extinguisher if necessary, and when Mauro returned stating that he had found no abnormalities, Dárcio asked him to close the cockpit door and sit down to check on the ground.

The commander attempted to contact the control towers in Rio Branco and Cruzeiro do Sul. Only Cruzeiro do Sul responded and he requested the deployment of firefighters on the Cruzeiro do Sul runway when speaking to the tower, but without declaring an emergency. The landing continued. However, at 01:05, 15 kilometers from the runway, the aircraft collided with the treetops and crashed into the ground at a speed of 255 km/h (138 knots). The impact caused an explosion and the cargo was thrown at the crew on impact, mutilating their bodies. The aircraft wreckage left a 300-meter trail through the forest.