Legacy Involved in Brazilian Mid-Air Arrives in the U.S.

November 24, 2010 —The Embraer Legacy 600 that collided with a Gol Transportes Aéreos Boeing 737 over Brazil in 2006 has completed its journey to the U.S. The 2006 collision killed 154 people onboard the 737 and heavily damaged the Legacy, but the crew was able to make an emergency landing at a nearby military base. The incident sparked an international diplomatic and legal standoff and the two Legacy pilots were detained in Brazil for two months. The brand new aircraft, which was on its delivery flight to a U.S. customer, was declared a total loss by its insurer. It was then purchased by another U.S. owner, which hired the recovery firm Constant Aviation to repair and return it to the U.S. 

The aircraft required several structural repairs including replacing the horizontal stabilizer, which, along with the left winglet, was damaged in the collision. The Legacy sat outside in the jungle heat for 18 months, which required, among other things, replacement of the avionics. “We did extensive boroscoping and testing to verify the validity of the engines,” Constant Aviation President Stephen Maiden told Aviation International News. The airframe was also free of corrosion. “We had a team of 10 people, and we spent three weeks doing testing and analyzing all the systems to make sure it was a safe airplane to put back in the air,” he said.

While the new owners got a bargain on the jet, it will need a new wing and a heavy inspection. The interior will likely have to be refurbished after the long stay in the humid jungle environment. Maiden expects the repairs to take approximately 90 days.

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