Airborne logs detail abundant frost buildup prior to aircraft accident in Brazil, suggests preliminary finding
The report revealed that warning systems for ice buildup had been activated on an aircraft operated by airline Voepass, and a representative from aviation authority Cenipa mentioned at a press conference that there were indications of excessive ice during the flight, as stated by the copilot himself in cockpit recordings.
Investigators speculate that this could imply a failure in the plane's de-icing system, although Cenipa stresses the need for further confirmation.
Three aviation experts interviewed by Reuters suggested that ice could potentially have contributed to the accident, cautioning to consider multiple factors involved in crashes.
On August 9, an ATR-72 aircraft operated by local carrier Voepass abruptly lost control and crashed, resulting in the loss of all 62 lives on board.
Cenipa anticipates that the investigation into the incident will extend beyond a year.
US aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse commented, "All the information I've read today aligns with icing, but accidents rarely stem from a single event."
After reviewing the report, aviation safety analyst David Soucie informed CNN that it appears the crew may have activated the de-icing equipment prematurely, mentioning that ice needs to accumulate on a plane's wings naturally before it can shed off.
"If you force it beforehand, as in this case, the ice accumulates within the inflated boot. Then the inflation cycle is trapped beneath the ice dome and proves ineffective," Soucie explained, adding that it eventually becomes heavier and heavier.
According to officials, alarms warning of loss of speed were triggered, but the ATR's crew failed to declare an emergency situation before plummeting to the ground.
On Friday, Cenipa officials expressed uncertainty about why a fully certified aircraft with proper certification and functional systems still lost control and plunged. Lt. Col. Paulo Froes said, "What we know is that the aircraft was flying in an area with severe icing conditions."
Voepass stated in a statement that the report confirmed the plane and the pilots were appropriately certified, operating within required systems, and expressed its commitment to collaborating with the investigation.
Bound for Sao Paulo's international airport, the turboprop had departed from Cascavel, in the state of Parana, before crashing in Vinhedo, approximately 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.
CNN had previously reported that multiple social media videos depicted the ATR 72 in an apparent spin, descending uncontrollably with no discernible forward momentum.
In-flight icing, as per Federal Aviation Administration documents, can "alter the flow of air over the wing and negatively impact handling qualities," potentially causing the airplane to spin out of control, making recovery impossible.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated.
CNN's Richard Quest contributed to the reporting.
The worldwide aviation community is paying close attention to this incident in the Americas, as a US aviation safety expert highlighted potential icing as a contributing factor.
Considering the crash occurred in an area known for severe icing conditions, the global aviation authorities may need to reevaluate their ice prevention and management protocols in these regions.
