A Boeing 737 operated by Gol Transportes Aéreos and an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet collided in mid-air over the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of all 154 passengers and crew aboard the Gol flight while the occupants of the Legacy jet survived. The collision raised immediate concerns over air traffic control protocols, particularly in Brazil, where the aviation system was undergoing significant pressure due to increasing air traffic and a lack of modernization in facilities and processes. Eyewitness reports and flight data suggested that the Gol aircraft was descending into its final approach when it was struck by the Legacy jet, which had been caught in a potentially dangerous situation involving communication lapses between its pilots and air traffic controllers.

In the aftermath, investigations revealed systemic failures within Brazil's aviation system. The Brazilian government faced enormous scrutiny for not adequately addressing safety standards, which were exacerbated by a rapid increase in flights and the age of some aircraft in service. Reports indicated that the country's aviation infrastructure and regulations had not kept pace with needs, leading to calls for reform. The catastrophic event not only brought attention to aviation safety issues but also led to widespread public fear regarding air travel in Brazil. Over the following years, it triggered a comprehensive review of aviation safety regulations and protocols in Brazil, aiming to prevent such incidents from occurring again.