Gol Transportes Aéreos Flight 1907 facts for kids

Gol Transportes Aéreos Flight 1907 was a sad event that happened on September 29, 2006. A Boeing 737-800 airplane, carrying 154 people, was flying from Manaus to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. While it was flying high over the Amazon rainforest, it accidentally crashed into another plane, an Embraer Legacy 600.

The Embraer Legacy plane, which had seven people on board, was able to land safely at a military base. Everyone on that plane was okay. However, the Boeing 737 crashed into the Amazon jungle. Sadly, all 154 people on board the Gol flight died in the accident. This event led to a big investigation to find out what went wrong.

What Happened During the Flight?

The Two Airplanes Involved

On that day, two planes were flying in the same area. One was Gol Flight 1907, a large Boeing 737-800 passenger jet. It was flying southeast from Manaus to Rio de Janeiro. The other plane was a smaller business jet, an Embraer Legacy 600. This Legacy jet was flying northwest from São José dos Campos to the United States.

Both planes were flying at a very high altitude. They were supposed to be on different flight paths or at different heights to avoid any problems.

The Mid-Air Collision

The accident happened over a remote part of the Amazon rainforest. The two planes were flying towards each other. Suddenly, they collided in the sky. The wingtip of the Embraer Legacy hit the left wing of the Boeing 737. This caused a lot of damage to both aircraft.

The Embraer Legacy's wing was damaged, but the pilots managed to keep control. They were able to fly the damaged plane to a nearby air force base called Cachimbo Air Base. All seven people on board the Legacy jet survived.

However, the Boeing 737 was severely damaged. Part of its wing broke off, and the plane became uncontrollable. It began to fall rapidly from the sky.

The Crash Site

The Boeing 737 crashed deep into the Amazon rainforest. The crash site was very remote and hard to reach. Rescue teams had to work hard to find the wreckage. Sadly, there were no survivors from Gol Flight 1907. All 154 people on board died in the crash.

Investigation and Findings

Finding the Black Boxes

After the crash, investigators began searching for the plane's "black boxes." These are special recorders that store important information about the flight. One is the flight data recorder, which records how the plane was flying. The other is the cockpit voice recorder, which records sounds and conversations in the cockpit.

Finding these black boxes was very important. They helped investigators understand what happened in the moments leading up to the collision. It took weeks of searching in the dense jungle to find them.

What the Investigation Found

The investigation looked at many things. They checked the planes, the air traffic control system, and what the pilots were doing. They found that the Embraer Legacy jet was flying at an altitude where it should not have been. Its anti-collision system, which warns pilots about other planes, was also not working correctly at the time of the collision.

There were also problems with how air traffic controllers were managing the planes. The system in Brazil had some issues, and there were concerns about how it was being run. The investigation concluded that a series of mistakes and problems led to the collision. It was a very complex accident with many factors involved.

Aftermath of the Accident

Impact on Air Travel

The crash of Gol Flight 1907 was a very serious event for Brazil. It led to many changes in how air traffic was managed in the country. People wanted to make sure such an accident would never happen again.

The accident also highlighted the importance of working anti-collision systems on airplanes. It showed how crucial it is for pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate clearly and follow all safety rules.

Remembering the Victims

The accident was a tragedy for the families of the 154 people who died. Memorials were held to remember those who lost their lives. The event served as a reminder of the importance of air safety and the dedication of those who work to make flying safe for everyone.

Images for kids

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  Approximate flight paths from flight origins to crash site

    Boeing southeast bound

    Embraer northwest bound
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  Wreckage of the Gol aircraft

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  Damage to the Legacy's left side

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  The undamaged right side of the Legacy, for comparison

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  The Boeing's flight data recorder

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  The Boeing's cockpit voice recorder memory module was found embedded in the soil, after four weeks of intensive searching.

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  IFR high altitude en route chart section of Brasília area, depicting UW2, UZ6 airways

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  Investigation committee president Col. Rufino Antônio da Silva Ferreira presents the preliminary findings on 16 November 2006.

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  IFR high-altitude en route chart section of Teres fix area, depicting UZ6 airway and Cachimbo air base; crash site is between Nabol and Istar fixes on UZ6

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  This Boeing 747-400, (registration number N453PA), operated Polar 71, which helped provide radio relay and translation assistance for the crippled Embraer jet

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  Passengers at Brasília International Airport enquiring about delayed flights

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  Brazilian Defense Minister Waldir Pires was involved in discussions about Brazil's air traffic system after the accident.

See also

In Spanish: Vuelo 1907 de Gol Transportes Aéreos para niños