Twin-turboprop aircraft crash near Manaus kills 24

On 7 February 2009 a Bandeirante PT-SEA twin-turboprop aircraft crashed into the Manacapuru River, approximately 74 mi/120 km south of Manaus, killing 24 of the 28 people on board. The flight departed Coari Airport (SWKO/CIZ) and was scheduled to arrive later at Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas in western Brazil. Reports indicate that the aircraft was owned and operated by the Manaus Airtaxi airline. Airline officials stated that shortly after taking off the pilot encountered inclement weather and requested permission to return to Coari. The pilot then attempted to land the aircraft on an abandoned airstrip in Santo Antonio. The aircraft crashed into the river approximately 1,600 ft/500 m short of the strip. The cause of the crash has not been established.