The True Story Behind Netflix’s Aviation Disaster Documentary A Tragedy Foretold: Flight 3054

Brazil experienced its most devastating aviation disaster on July 17, 2007, when a TAM Airlines plane crashed, resulting in the deaths of 199 individuals. This incident, the deadliest in Latin American aviation history, is the focus of the Brazilian documentary series “A Tragedy Foretold,” set to premiere on Netflix on April 23 amidst growing concerns about aviation safety in the U.S.

The tragic crash occurred when a TAM-operated Airbus A320 failed to land properly at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, overshooting the runway and colliding with a TAM building and a gas station on Washington Luís Avenue, leading to an explosion.

The disaster unfolded during a period known as the “aviation blackout” in Brazil, characterized by severe disruptions in the civil aviation sector due to delays, cancellations, and chaos at airports caused by underinvestment in infrastructure, air traffic control, low wages, and poor working conditions for aviation personnel.

The aftermath of the crash of Flight 3054 prompted investigations by Brazilian authorities, concluding that a combination of human and operational errors led to the tragedy. The report highlighted issues such as misconfigured engine thrust levers, lack of proper training, and regulatory gaps that contributed to the accident.

The investigation led to indictments of several individuals initially, but ultimately only the two pilots were formally charged in connection with the crash. Despite safety improvements implemented post-incident, Brazil saw a rise in air accidents in subsequent years, underlining the ongoing challenges in ensuring aviation safety.

The crash of Flight 3054 had a lasting impact on Brazil’s aviation industry, prompting significant safety enhancements and regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.