Comp Air CA9 accident near Sao Paulo, Br, March 19, 2016
On March 19, 2016 at about 6:23 pm local time, a Comp Air CA9, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered PRZRA, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Sao Paulo. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 7 people were killed.
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
- March 19, 2016 · about 6:23 pm local time
- Place
- Sao Paulo, Brazil · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 7 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Comp Air CA9, amateur-built
- Registration
- PRZRA · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 19, 2016, about 1853 coordinated universal time, an experimental amateur-built Comp Air CA9, Brazilian registration PR-ZRA, was destroyed by impact and fire after collision with a building shortly after takeoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil. There was a post-crash fire. The Brazilian certificated pilot and 6 passengers were fatally injured. The flight departed Sao Paulo, Brazil (SBMT), and was destined for Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (SBRJ). This accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center (CENIPA) of Brazil. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center Investigation Division CENIPA SHIS - QI 05-VI Comar Brasilia-DF, Brazil 71.615-600 Telephone: (55-61) 3364-8800 Fax: (55-61) 3365-1004 dipaa.spai@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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 7,700 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SBMT Sao Paulo
- Destination: SBRJ Rio De Janeiro
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 6 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.