Disoriented Pilot Caused Accident That Killed Justice Teori Zavascki, According to Air Force

01/23/2018 - 11h07

The Air Force's investigation into the accident that led to the death of Supreme Court Justice Teori Zavascki, in January of 2017, concluded that one of the factors that contributed to the accident was the fact that pilot Osmar Rodrigues, 56, who also died in the accident, was disoriented.

According to the Air Force, the data suggests that the pilot, who was flying in the rain and did two go-arounds near the runway in Paraty (Rio de Janeiro), got confused about the airplane's actual altitude and ended up striking the water while attempting a curve.

Upon striking the bay off of Paraty with its right wing, the airplane "flipped over". The wreckage spanned across a radius of 150 meters. Those who were aboard the plane died of multiple trauma.

The investigation also found that weather conditions were also among the factors that contributed to the accident.

The pilot decided to attempt to land the plane despite having low visibility, a decision that goes against visual flight protocol which, according to the Air Force, should be obeyed by all pilots.

There were no signs of conspiracy. A technical analysis of the plane's equipment and engine found everything to be in good condition.

At the time of the accident, Mr. Zavascki was the Supreme Court Justice who was overseeing the Operation Lava Jato proceedings. The Justice's tragic death gave rise to conspiracy theories and left family members skeptical.

Among the deceased, in addition to Mr. Zavascki, who was on vacation, and the pilot, were Carlos Alberto Fernandes Filgueiras, 69, who owned the Emiliano hotel in São Paulo and the jet they were flying in, massage therapist Maíra Panas, 23, and her mother, Maria Hilda Panas Helatczuk, 55.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

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	The weather conditions were also among the factors that contributed to the accident