Brazilian authorities have successfully recovered all 62 bodies from the wreckage of the plane that tragically crashed on Friday, killing everyone on board. Investigators are now analyzing the aircraft’s black boxes to determine the cause of the disaster.
The ATR 72-500 aircraft, operated by Voepass, was captured on video in a terrifying downward spiral before crashing into a residential area in Vinhedo, approximately 80 kilometers northwest of São Paulo. The plane descended almost vertically, landed on its belly, and burst into flames, resulting in extensive damage.
São Paulo fire lieutenant Olivia Perroni Cazo described the impact as so severe that the plane was nearly “flattened.” The bodies of all 34 male and 28 female victims have been transported to a morgue in São Paulo for identification. Among the identified victims are the pilot and co-pilot.
The flight, originating from Cascavel in Paraná state, was en route to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport. According to the Brazilian Air Force, radar contact was lost shortly after the plane began rapidly losing altitude, just one minute after it had been flying at an altitude of 17,000 feet. The crew did not declare an emergency, and weather conditions were not reported as a factor.
Experts from Brazil’s Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) are currently analyzing the black boxes, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days. The aircraft, in service since 2010, had undergone routine maintenance the night before the crash, with no technical issues reported.
While some experts speculate that icing on the wings might have contributed to the crash, Voepass’s operations director, Marcel Moura, stated that the conditions were within acceptable parameters for the flight. Despite the severity of the crash, there were no casualties on the ground.
News Editor