Accidents
Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair
Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived
Joe Sharkey with Embraer Legacy 600 involved in collision
Twenty years ago, Joe Sharkey boarded a business jet that collided with a commercial airliner; the smaller airplane survived. © Courtesy of Joe Sharkey

While September often is a reminder of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it also represents another tragic anniversary for aviation. It was two decades ago, on September 29, when a business jet on its delivery flight to the U.S. collided with a commercial airliner over the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

“I have to say honestly that the memories are as vivid today as they were 20 years ago,” said industry veteran David Rimmer, then senior v-p of aircraft charter and management provider ExcelAire, who was aboard the business jet at the time. “I still do think about my survival every day.”