Rio de Janeiro:
An ATR-72 turboprop plane, operated by regional carrier Voepass, tragically crashed on Friday, claiming the lives of all 62 passengers on board. The crash occurred in a residential area near São Paulo, Brazil, raising questions about what led to this devastating event.
How Did the Crash Happen?
The flight, en route from Cascavel in Paraná to São Paulo, went down at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT) in Vinhedo, a town located about 80 kilometers northwest of São Paulo. Until 1:21 p.m., the aircraft was operating normally, but it suddenly stopped responding to communications, and radar contact was lost a minute later. No emergency was reported before the crash.
What Will Investigators Focus On?
U.S. aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse notes that investigators will scrutinize various factors such as weather conditions, engine functionality, and control systems to determine the cause of the crash. The black box, recovered from the wreckage, will be crucial in this investigation, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.
Could Weather Have Played a Role?
Some experts speculate that ice buildup might have contributed to the crash. Voepass acknowledged that ice was forecasted at the altitudes the plane was flying, but stated it should have been within acceptable levels. Brazilian aviation engineer Celso Faria de Souza is almost certain that ice was a factor, citing similarities to a 1994 ATR-72 crash in Indiana, USA, where ice buildup led to a fatal accident.
Was Engine Failure a Factor?
John Hansman, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, analyzed the crash footage and suggested that engine failure on one side could have caused the plane to spiral, particularly if the crew mismanaged the situation. However, he emphasized that without reviewing the flight data, this remains speculative.
Could Multiple Failures Be Involved?
Experts agree that air crashes often result from a combination of factors. Ice, engine failure, and human error are all possible contributors. Robert A. Clifford, a lawyer who represented victims’ families in the 1994 crash, stresses that in many cases, multiple causes lead to such tragic outcomes.
As investigators work to piece together what happened, the world awaits answers to understand this heartbreaking disaster and prevent future tragedies.
