Embraer EMB110 accident near Coari, Br, February 7, 2009
On February 7, 2009 at about 6:10 pm local time, a Embraer EMB110, registered PRSAE, was destroyed in an accident during uncontrolled descent near Coari (Coari, Amazonas airport). It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 24 people were killed and 4 people had minor injuries.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 7, 2009 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Coari, Brazil · Coari, Amazonas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 24 people were killed and 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Embraer EMB110 P1 · all EMB110s on the register
- Registration
- PRSAE · no longer on the register · serial 110352
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 7, 2009, at 1810 universal time coordinates, an Embraer EMB 110P1, Brazilian registry PT-SEA, operated by Manaus Aerotaxi as a commuter flight, experienced an unknown problem after take-off from the Coari, Amazonas Airport (SWKO) in Coari, Brazil, at 1640. At 1722 the pilot informed approach control at Manaus, Amazonas (SBEG), Eduardo Gomes, Brazil, that he was returning to SWKO, but did not state the reason for that. A witness saw the collision of the airplane with the Manacapuru River, in the Amazon Jungle, and observed the airplane sink right after impact. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Authorities, Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Chief of Research and Support Shis - Q1 05 - Vi Comar, Brasilia-DF, Brazil Phone: 55 61 3364-8824 Facsimile: 55 61 3365-1004 This report is for information purposes only, and contains only information released by or obtained for the Brazilian Government.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during uncontrolled descent defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Other authority investigated
Crew member
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 12,500 lb
- Seats: 28
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney PT6A (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SWKO Coari at 4:40 pm
- Destination: SBEG Eduardo Gomes
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 22 | 4 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.