An ATR plane carrying at least 61 people crashed into a residential area in Brazil without issuing a distress call. The incident was further confounded by reports that the plane was spinning uncontrollably before hitting the ground. Aviation experts are now suspecting that the cause may have been related to ice, a factor that may have caused this serious incident.
Ice is suspected
The cause of the plane crash in Brazil is currently being investigated by authorities. At this point, authorities have collected the plane’s black box, facilitating the determination of the exact cause of the tragedy. Aviation experts are actively analyzing images and initial data to better understand the accident.
This detailed investigation will not only help clarify the cause of the accident but also play an important role in improving aviation safety in the future.
According to the AP news agency, experts focused on unusual details such as the plane spinning before it crashed into the residential area below. The moment the plane crashed was posted on Brazilian television station GloboNews.
The plane crashed and caught fire. (image cut from video)
The AP news agency quoted local aviation analysts as saying that ice could have caused the accident.
A report from the local meteorological center confirmed that the Vinhedo area – where the plane crashed – was so cold that ice could form.
According to aviation expert Lito Sousa: “Through analyzing the images when the plane crashed, it can be seen that the plane lost its support and spun. In this condition, the pilot had no way to regain control of the plane”.
The pilot did not report any unusual conditions before the crash
At a press conference to announce the accident, Voepass CEO Marcelo Moura said that although ice was forecast in the area where the accident occurred, the ice level was still considered to be within the acceptable range for the aircraft.
Wreckage of a plane carrying 61 people that crashed in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, August 9 (Photo: AFP)
Lt. Col. Carlos Henrique Baldi from the Brazilian Air Force’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aviation Accidents also confirmed that the ATR 72 aircraft was certified to fly in severe icing conditions, including in countries with stronger icing.
In an earlier statement, the center confirmed that the pilots did not declare an emergency or report adverse weather conditions to air traffic control. This has raised questions about safety procedures and the crew’s ability to react in an emergency.
The Brazilian Federal Police are also investigating, sending experts on aircraft accidents and victim identification to the scene.
As for the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR, the company has confirmed that the accident involved an ATR 72-500. The company’s experts will assist in the investigation as well as customers.
An ATR 72-212 aircraft model.
The ATR 72 is a type of aircraft commonly used on short-haul flights. According to the Aviation Safety Network database, the aircraft was manufactured by a joint venture between Airbus in France and Leonardo S.p.A. of Italy.
Since 1990, accidents involving different ATR 72 models have killed 470 people.
