Piper PA-31T accident near Curitiba, Br, November 6, 2012
On November 6, 2012 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-31T, registered PTMFW, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Curitiba (Bacacheri Airport). It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- November 6, 2012 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Curitiba, Brazil · Bacacheri Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31T · all PA-31Ts on the register
- Registration
- PTMFW · no longer on the register · serial 31T-8166067
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 6, 2012, at 2030 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Piper PA-31T, Brazilian registration PT-MFW, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while approaching Bacacheri Airport (SBBI), Curitiba, Brazil. The flight was operated by Taxi Aereo Hercules, Ltda., and originated from Dourados Airport (SSDO), Dourados, Brazil. The two pilots and two passengers onboard were fatally injured. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Brazil. Further information can be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center Investigation Division SHIS – QI 05 – VI Comar, Brasilia-DF, Brazil 71.615-600 Tel (55-61) 3364-8838, Fax (55-61) 3365-1004 dac.saai@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Government of Brazil.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach defining event
Pilot
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Taxi Aero Hercules, Ltd.
The flight
- Departed from: SSDO Dourados
- Destination: SBBI Curitiba
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 080° at 8 knots
- Sky: a few clouds at 900 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 pm from SBBI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.