- Search for Cause of Brazil Plane Crash
After the crash of a passenger plane into a residential area near the Brazilian metropolis of São Paulo, with 61 fatalities, investigators are focusing on the analysis of flight data and voice recorders. Both devices, known as the "black box," have been found, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) announced. The extent to which they can provide information depends on the degree of damage, and analysis will be conducted as soon as possible.
The VoePass airline ATR 72 turboprop passenger plane, traveling from Cascavel in the state of Paraná to São Paulo, crashed into a residential area in the town of Vinhedo just before its destination on Friday afternoon (local time). All 57 passengers and four crew members died, with no reported injuries on the ground. Data from the Flightradar 24 platform suggests that the plane dropped nearly 4,000 meters in less than a minute.
Warnings of severe weather and icing at the crash site
"Everything is still very preliminary," said Marcelo Moreno, head of the Center for the Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa), at a press conference hours after the accident. Environmental and technical factors, as well as possible human error, are being investigated to determine the cause of the crash. Meteorological reports around the time of the accident suggest turbulence, thunderstorms, and icing in the area, according to Flightradar 24.
Experts are also considering ice formation on the wings as a possible cause, which could turn the plane into "a stone without lift," as reported by the Brazilian news portal Uol. There was a warning of icing at the crash site. VoePass CEO Eduardo Busch did not rule out the possibility of ice accumulation on the wings. The pilots were experienced, and the plane started with functioning systems. "The aircraft was 100 percent operational at the time of takeoff," Busch said.
President Lula orders three days of national mourning
Other experts suggest that multiple factors may have contributed to the crash. Voice recorders capture cockpit conversations, while data recorders log flight data.
Images and videos on social media show the plane spinning out of control and falling from the sky, followed by thick smoke. The plane crashed into a residential area near a house where residents were present, according to the G1 news portal, citing local authorities.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has declared three days of national mourning. São Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas has promised all necessary support.
One of the deadliest accidents in Brazilian aviation history
The accident is reportedly one of the deadliest in Brazilian aviation history. Many remember the crash of November 28, 2016, when the plane of the Brazilian football club Chapecoense crashed on its way to Medellín for the Copa Sudamericana final, killing 71 people, including almost the entire team, coaches, and accompanying journalists. Six passengers survived.
The Friday tragedy was a turboprop passenger aircraft of the type ATR 72, produced by the Franco-Italian consortium Avions de Transport Régional. In January 2023, an ATR 72-500 bound for Pokhara airport in Nepal crashed, killing all 72 on board, including four crew members.
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is involved in the recovery and analysis of the flight data and voice recorders from the downed ATR 72 turboprop passenger plane, which is crucial in determining the cause of the crash. Following the incident, investigators must carefully examine the data from the black boxes to uncover any potential contributions of environmental factors, technical malfunctions, or human error.
