I live in São Paulo, and used to live near Congonhas Airport.
There has been a lot of criticism about the location of that busy hub (actually it was built first and then came most houses; that is: bad urban planning and control to start with). It was meant to be used only for regional flights but due to the convenience of its location - plus the greed of airline companies - users have rejected the ban of bigger planes.
Regarding this specific crash, it has just been revealed that the Tam (a brand new Airbus 320) aircraft had a faulty engine (the right-side reverse thruster was out of order).
That only proves why the plane ended up crashing into a building so far to the left from the airstrip end (no skidding off a wet lane would have led the plane that far, sideways).
The media here have rushed to blame the airport authorities for the accident, but now they have to take it back, it seems.
Premature conclusions are a bummer - and not only in Brazil - right?!

Jorge Santiago, São Paulo, Brazil

"We have operated thousands of times under heavy rain and nothing has happened"

Jose Carlos Pereira, Infraero

The quote above tells you everything you need to know about the mindset of the people in charge of this airport and the lives of 18 million people every year. He probably drives without a seatbelt too because he's done it thousands of times and he's never been hurt, so it must be okay. And remember he has had thousands of pilots telling him it isn't safe for years and he still doesn't believe it! Some people just never learn.

Andrew Kelsey, Royston, UK

An appalling accident which I've escaped from. I'm an ESL teacher and I used to have classes in the offices of that Cargo depot on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 6 to 7h30 pm (The disaster took place on Tuesday at about 6h50 pm).

Thank God all my learners had left before the aircraft hit that building. May God soothe and bless all the wailing families of the dead!

A curious happening. Among other classroom activities we were going to do Björk's "Violently happy" lyrics.
I'm a real fan of hers and last Sunday I decided to send my students an e-mail with the lyrics and the link for the bright clip on Youtube. They're young men and women and I thought Björk's unique musicality would conquer them too.

One of the verses says: "I'm daring people to jump off roofs".
It turned out that some staff members or others present in that building in flames did actually jump out of windows in despair, or taking their chances to try to keep alive. Was it a sign from heaven?

Ricardo Ferreira, São Paulo, Brazil

Im from the Porto Alegre city and I spoke with my family and friends about it and we are all very sad about it. We all know someone that know someone that was involved with the accident.
All my condolences to "the gauchos" in this difficult time.

Caroline Teixeira, Porto Alegre/London, Brazil/UK

In 1996, a problem in a thrust reverser caused TAM Flight 402 to crash in São Paulo shortly after take-off, killing 95 and 4 on the ground.

As stated above the Fokker 100 that crashed in 1996 did not skid off the runway as your report suggests. The plane had already taken off and then crashed when reverse thrust came in unintentionally. Please correct the report as it gives a false impression when the situation is quite bad enough without exaggerating the problem.

Andrew Kelsey, Royston , UK

Brazilian authorities shall carefully investigate the accident and a severe punishment must be charged over responsible person or people. In other hand population must be informed with precise information of the crash main causes and actions that must be taken to avoid and prevent others occurrences. The inquiry promises to be long but the actions must be taken now. I hope that all the inquiry installed doesn’t blame the pilot for the accident, just because his not in earth to defend himself.
I definitely don’t trust in Lula’s intentions.

André Araujo de Oliveira, Vitoria, Brazil

We have been living a complete chaos since the September accident, in relation to air travelling, yet the Brasilian Government insisted on its lethargic state when dealing with the problem. As Cantanhêde (UOL) sais, our final thread of credibility on the air traffic system and the government´s ability to deal with the problem is over; very unfortunately, we all ask now "when will the next one be"?

Thiago, João Pessoa, Paraíba/Brazil

As is so often the case, "economic ramifications" are put before safety, and another couple of hundred innocent people lose their lives.

The "economic ramifications" of an actual air disaster? Clearly something the appeals court didn't consider a vital factor in their decision-making process, along with the value of human lives.

N Butler, London, UK

This horrible plane crash was not a surprise for us who live here in Sao Paulo.
After many little accidents in Cogonhas Airport, we were worried about planes' taking off and landing.
I live near Cogonhas Airport and I know how this airport makes part of our life here. It's too near the buildings and traffic.
I think that Brazil's authorities should take a special care with the region because it envolves about more than 100 thousand lives (people who live near the airport).

It was a announced tragedy. My best regard and wishes for the victims and Sao Paulo citizens

Anderson Clemente, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Here in Brazil we all knew it would happen. Every day we have some bad news about brazilian civil aviation.
I hope someday Lula and his crew give us attention.
Unfortunately he's waiting for more deaths.

Vítor de Moraes, Brasília, Brasil

This airport is a real challenge to one's nerves. I have departed from and landed in that airport which is in the middle of the City and always had a funny feeling. The old Kai Tak in Hong Kong was a walk in the park compared to Conghonhas. I really feel sorry for those have lost their lives and their families and friends.

Alois, Zurich,

This was a disaster waiting to happen. Incompetence & corruption rule in Brazil . This has got worse under Lula - no wonder he was booed when he tried to open the Rio de Janeiro Games

Air Traffic Control in Brazil is under the control of the military. Some days ago air force personnel were arrested for mutiny when they staged a protest about the state of equipment and working conditions. Yet politicians who steal hundreds of millions go free.

Michael Jorden, Sao Paulo, Brazil

It's São PaUlo instead of São Paolo

Cleiton, Brazil, Brazil

For the sake of correction: the 1996 crash was NOT a skid-off. The plane (Fokker 100) had a faulty reverse, and took off without enough speed, failed to gain airspeed, then flipped with its back up and then crashed a couple of MILES away from the airport. Please check your files. This doesn´t erase the multiple serious problems of the runway, which should have been closed every time it rained. There were multiple skid-offs in the past months, but not the 1996 F100 crash. Hope this helps.

Carlos, Curitiba, Brazil

I too live in Brazil. Unfortunately, this was an accident waiting to happen. Not only is the runway completely inappropriate for most aircraft, the location of the airport is unacceptable - two main road arteries run past it, and there is a large population around it, both residential and office.
In the proper circumstances, government figures should be forced to resign in absolute shame. But Brazil never follows this path. In my opinion, and given that nothing progressive has been done with regard to the problems of Brazilian aviation, the blame goes right up to President Lula. What has been done since the Gol crash, apart from blaming the American pilots, as opposed to the real culprit - Brazilian air traffic control. Now this! Even the pilots using this airport knew it was an accident waiting to happen - bad runway, terrible conditions whenever it rains, significant downdraft on the planes at takeoff, and generally unpredictable winds. Unacceptable, and heads should roll.

Nicholas Glinsman, Sao Paolo, Brazil

Unbelievably sad. After years of such accidents, it's a shame that Brazil has not taken any serious action to prevent them. As a Brazilian, all I can feel is sorry for the victims and shame for my country. How many more disasters does it need to take?

Raquel, London ,

Sadly this was an accident waiting to happen for a long time. Having lived in Brazil for 30 years, I can affirm that safety precautions or security and maintenance of any sort come way down the country's list of priorities - way below Carnaval and Football.

The air traffic controller's equipment is prehistoric, most of the controllers speak no English (the international language of airitraffic control), the runways are, in many major airports, too short or badly surfaced. But the attitude here is "nothing will happen, God is Brazilian".

In fact despite this crash, a similar one eight years ago, and a plane skidding at the same airport earlier this week, I would not be at all surprised if the the situation is still unchanged in two years time.

Stanley, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If you want to see how difficult is to land in the Congonhas Airport - Sao Paulo - Brazil, watch the video made by a pilot when he was landing an airplane with cloudy sky. In google videos search for Announced Tragedy

Luiz Sergio Cardoso, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

It's a total shame that Brazilian government is still not taking seriously such a major issue. The corruption and irresponsibility is beyond the unbearable - from the streets to air space there is no place where tax payers can feel in peace anymore. My sincere wishes for the families of the victims.

A Carvalho, London, UK

god bless them all and their famliys

maxine Sheehan, london, england

What does this rambling attack on Brazil's air traffic control services have to do with a plane skidding off a wet runway?!

Andrew, Zurich, Switzerland

Sao Paulo is not the captial city of Brazil, Brasilia.

Even so, a tragedy... rest in peace to all that lost their lives.

John Jones, Southampton, UK

It was not that big surprise that another accident happened in Brazil. The situation over here is so outrageous that the whole situation of the Brazilian Air Traffic is being called the "Air Chaos" . Another couple of jets have skidded in the same runaway just hours before the big accident.
The overall rule here is "If it ain't broken, don't fix it, but if it is broken but nobody really knows it, don't fix it either"

My best wishes for the families of the victims.

Conrado Balbinot, Caxias do Sul, Brazil

"But an appeals court overruled the ban on three types of planes, saying it was too harsh because it would have severe economic ramifications and that there were not enough safety concerns to prevent the planes from landing and taking off the airport" - profit before people as usual, I despair... and I guess as usual it will not be the legislators or the airline that gets the blame but the pilot/controllers/...

Martyn Thirlway, Apeldoorn, Holland

I live in Brazil and that's also horrible!

Nobody's making any idea!
If Times group want some information about that accident can use my email.

Mauro Mazzucatto Jr, São Paulo, Brazil

The runway of this airport had been under repair and was reopened in 29/06 without finishing the taxiway in orther to have the repair finished within the time as planned. So the runway had no grooves to dry up the tarmac on rainy days. I'll stop here because I want this note posted.

Fabio C, London, UK

it's terrible this accidents envolving airplanes in Brazil. It's the sencond one in one year.

Felipe, São Paulo, Brazil

Well, i have one error to apoint; the airplane crashed into a building, which belongs to the airline company TAM, and not into a petrol station, as told.

Felipe Homsi, Anápolis, Brazil - Goiás

A tragic loss of life. It shows you what can happen when safety concerns are trumped by economic interests.

James, Elverson, usa

This is the second plain crash in 10 months! I'm getting really scared to fly again.
Not really just in brazil, besides that, there is the terrorism all over the world.

Carolina Medeiros, São Paulo, Brazil

I just recently came home from a month long trip all throughout Brazil. With in that month I landed with TAM airlines into congonhas about four times and later on a 777 American airlines flight. It scared me each time. You are landing in a very small area with high rises surrounding all ends of the runway and airport. It made me uneasy, especially after hearing all the hear say about air traffic control problems.

My heart goes out to families that have lost loved ones. May God be with you in this time.

Rachel Lorraine, Gig Harbor, WA

I have lost count of how many times I have taken off and landed at congonhas over the years. It scares me in good weather, when its raining it's a nightmare.

Ted Owen, London, UK

Read the article in the New York Times - it is reported there that the pilot attempted to take off again when he realised that there was no runway left.

Rob, Croydon, uk