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riding around downtown traffic straddling a motorcycle and holding my bags. So, I politely declined and said I would follow him around in a cab. For the next five hours, the cab and I chased after Ernesto weaving in around the city making stops at different airports to meet a lot of nice, well-connected aircraft dealers and bro- kers. He was incredibly generous with his time and wanted to do his best to ensure that I was able to build a stronger network and business in Brazil. Toward the end of the day, it was time for me to make my way to the international airport to fly home to North Carolina. Again, I thanked Ernesto profusely and was certain that I had developed a great new friend for life.
Then, early one morning after being home about a week, I was back in my routine of 30 minutes on my treadmill before going to work and was watching the “Today” show. The news broke that there had been a terrible airline accident at the Congonhas airport in São Paulo. TAM flight 402 had apparently been un- able to climb after departure and crashed into the city killing 89 passengers, six crewmembers and eight people on the ground. I shuttered to think about the fact that I had just flown TAM into Congonhas only a week before and was aware of the congestion surrounding the airport. Such a tragedy, but like most bad news that we get, we carry on. So, I went to work not thinking too much more about it.
After returning from work, I checked my emails and got more news that brought me to my knees. Fares had sent me a note that Ernesto had been on TAM 402 and was killed. I was stunned and literally cried. How in the world could this happen? You don’t think about general aviation pilots dying in the back of airliners. What are the chances that he happened to be on this particular flight?
The loss of life of any friend or family member is difficult to take, but I have al- ways felt that the loss of life of a young per- son is the ultimate tragedy. The thought always crosses my mind of “what could they have become?” In Ernesto’s case, he was clearly destined for greatness. I found out later that his father was CEO of the multi-billion-dollar company and was grooming his young 27-year-old to take the reins in the matter of a few years. I am certain he would have been a fabulous leader. He had the strength of character to
rise to the highest level of politics as well. Hell, he could have become the President of Brazil.
Ernesto’s family and the country of Brazil lost a lot with his passing. But for me, I lost a new and dear friend who I never will be able to adequately thank for his kindness and generosity. I wish I could give him that hug that I owed him.
Today, on my office wall, I keep and treasure the picture that he took of my Bonanza cruising over his beautiful coun- try. God speed my friend.
Author’s Note:
Post-accident investigation of TAM Flight 402 revealed that after rotation the Fokker F100 right engine thrust re- verser inadvertently deployed and the
aircraft rolled to the right. A safety system in the aircraft then automatically pulled the right engine and associated power lever to idle. The copilot, noting the power lever position pushed it forward again creating enormous drag from full power being applied to the reverser. There was no other indication in the cockpit that the reverser had deployed. The safety system again snapped the power lever to idle and this time the captain pushed the power lever forward and called for auto- throttles off. The aircraft was unable to climb in this high drag condition and crashed into the city. The crew had not been trained for this scenario as it was considered extremely unlikely.
ASE
Randy Groom can be contacted at randy@groomaviation.com
CIES
March 2019
TWIN & TURBINE • 19