Embraer EMB 720C accident near Balsas, Br, August 3, 2014
On August 3, 2014 at about 9:10 am local time, a Embraer EMB 720C, registered PTWPH, was destroyed in an accident near Balsas (Balsas Airport). It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 5 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
- August 3, 2014 · about 9:10 am local time
- Place
- Balsas, Brazil · Balsas Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer EMB 720C
- Registration
- PTWPH · no longer on the register · serial 720033
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 3, 2014, about 0910 UTC, an Embraer 720C (based on U.S. design of Piper PA-32-300), Brazil Registration PT-WPH, registered to and operated by a private individual, crashed into a residence during takeoff from Balsas Airport (SNBS), Maranhao, Brazil. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Brazil Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence, and was destined for Teresina/Senador P. Portella Airport (SBTE), Teresina, Piaui, Brazil. According to preliminary information, after takeoff the airplane lost altitude and collided with a residence resulting in a postcrash fire. There were no reported ground injuries. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Brazil. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention And Investigation Center (CENIPA) Information Technology Division SHIS-QI 05-VI Comar Brasilia-DF, Brazil, 71.615.600 Phone: 55 61 3364 8819 Facsimile: 55 61 3365 1004 E-mail: dti@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes only, and contains information released by or obtained for 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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SNBS Balsas at 9:10 am
- Destination: SBTE Piaui
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.