This screenshot from a video shows the wreckage of a plane that crashed near a home in Vinhedo, São Paulo state, Brazil, on August 9, 2024. The Associated Press
A tragic plane crash occurred near São Paulo on Friday, resulting in the deaths of all 61 people on board, according to a statement from Voepass airline. Social media is awash with dramatic footage showing the plane’s fiery crash. Voepass confirmed that 57 passengers and four crew members perished in the incident.
The flight, which took off from Cascavel in Paraná, was heading to Guarulhos in São Paulo state. Data indicates that the ATR 72-500, a twin-engine turboprop plane, abruptly lost 17,000 feet in a minute, though the cause remains unknown.
Videos circulating online capture the harrowing moments of the plane spiralling out of control before crashing. Thankfully, no one on the ground was harmed, according to local authorities.
The flight’s disappearance from radar at around 1:30 p.m. local time prompted immediate concern. Initial reports suggested there were 62 people on board, but this number was later corrected by Voepass.
Voepass CEO Eduardo Busch addressed the media, confirming that the crew was well-trained and capable. He emphasized the importance of understanding what went wrong by accessing communications between the pilot and the control tower. The plane’s black boxes, which record flight data, are crucial to this investigation, though there is a risk they might be too damaged to retrieve information.
Social media videos captured the plane spiralling down before crashing, while frightened neighborhood residents shouted in fear. CNN Brasil.
A medical team is working on identifying the victims, many of whom are severely burned. Local officials have asked families to provide medical records, such as dental or radiological exams, to aid in identification. The victims' remains are being taken to Campinas for formal procedures.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences during a public address and called for a minute of silence. He later declared three days of mourning for the victims.
Voepass has been proactive in supporting the victims’ families by arranging hotels and psychological assistance. One witness, who recorded the aftermath, described the panic that ensued as the plane crashed near her home.
An official investigation is underway, led by the Brazil Air Force and the aviation accident agency CENIPA. Preliminary reports indicate there were no emergency signals from the plane before the crash. Voepass has committed to cooperating fully with the investigation.
The plane, manufactured in 2010, was acquired by Voepass in September 2022. According to the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry, the aircraft was restricted from air taxi operations, though the reasons are currently unclear.
ATR, the manufacturer, has pledged to assist in the investigation. Experts note that ATR 72s have a history of fatal incidents, with at least 15 recorded worldwide.
Interestingly, some passengers narrowly escaped tragedy by missing the flight. One man, along with at least nine others, was at the wrong gate and missed boarding. He later expressed his relief and gratitude, acknowledging how close he came to being on the ill-fated plane.
