As I type this, the Brazilians have finally released the two pilots involved in the mid-air collision of their Embraer Legacy jet with a GOL Airlines 737 on Sept. 29. They have spent more than two months under "house arrest," with their passports confiscated, preventing them from leaving the country, with no charges filed against them. I doubt many would consider that much of a vacation. I consider it outrageous.Under the glare of intense publicity and worldwide attention, a Brazilian judge finally ordered their passports returned to them, and they have now left Brazil. Welcome home, guys! Take a couple of days off, and get back to work.Within hours of the judge's order, "the authorities" filed charges, and forced an agreement requiring them to return for trial, if one is ever held. I'm a little surprised it took them so long, and that the pilots were allowed to leave. Possibly just a face-saving measure. "Face" is important to officialdom everywhere, and especially south of the border.I am not even slightly surprised that two aircraft collided while under "control" of Brazilian ATC, but I am very surprised we don't see more such mid-airs.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/features/pelicans-perch-81-its-a-jungle-down-there