TAM Airlines Flight 3054 was a scheduled domestic flight from Porto Alegre to São Paulo when it crashed during its landing approach. The Airbus A320, performing its final approach at São Paulo–Congonhas Airport, lost control due to excessive speed on landing. As it overshot the runway, the aircraft collided with a warehouse located beyond the runway, leading to a catastrophic fire. The crash resulted in the tragic loss of 199 lives, with no survivors on board the aircraft and several fatalities occurring on the ground due to the resultant fire and debris.

Investigations into the crash unveiled that a combination of factors contributed to the accident. The aging infrastructure of the Congonhas Airport, including a runway that was too short for large aircraft under adverse weather conditions, played a significant role. Additionally, pilot error was identified as a contributing factor, with the crew failing to adequately slow the airplane upon landing. This incident highlighted not only issues surrounding pilot decision-making but also raised questions about regulatory oversight in Brazilian aviation.

The aftermath of the crash sparked national outrage and prompted discussions regarding aviation safety in Brazil. The incident created a ripple effect across the aviation industry, resulting in changes to regulations and procedures designed to enhance safety measures. Civil aviation authorities began to scrutinize airport safety protocols and aircraft maintenance standards more rigorously, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.