In a devastating incident, a Voepass ATR-72-500 aircraft operated by the Brazilian airline Voepass Linhas Aéreas crashed in a residential area near Vinhedo, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday. The ill-fated flight had 62 individuals on board, comprising 58 passengers and four crew members, as per the initial reports.
The Incident Unfolds
Flight data reveals a harrowing sequence of events leading up to the crash. The aircraft, registered as PS-VPB, was cruising at an altitude of approximately 17,000 feet, roughly one hour and 20 minutes into its journey. Suddenly, the aircraft experienced a sharp loss in altitude and a significant reduction in speed. Data from Flightradar24 indicated that the ground speed of the plane dropped to as low as 50 knots at one point, although these figures are yet to be confirmed through the ongoing investigation.
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At around 13:22 local time, the situation escalated as the aircraft reportedly entered a flat spin, spiraling out of control before crashing in the Villa Santa Fe neighborhood, São Paulo. The crash site is about eight miles from Viracopos/Campinas International Airport (VCP) and roughly 46 miles from São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).
Icing Conditions: A Possible Factor
Severe icing conditions were reported in the vicinity of the crash site, particularly between 12,000 and 21,000 feet. The National Weather Service explains that icing on an aircraft can drastically alter the cross-section of the airfoil, compromising lift and increasing drag, which in turn raises the stalling speed. This severe icing could have played a crucial role in the aircraft’s rapid descent and subsequent loss of control.
Disturbing footage shared on social media platform X captured the aircraft in its final moments, showing it in a flat spin before plummeting to the ground.
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Search for Survivors
Tragically, the latest reports from Brazilian authorities suggest that there are no survivors from the crash. Despite the aircraft going down in a densely populated area, local authorities have confirmed that there were no injuries reported on the ground, which is nothing short of miraculous.
Brazil’s Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) has already launched a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the crash.
About the Aircraft
The aircraft involved, PS-VPB, was a 14-year-old ATR-72-500, built in 2010. The ATR-72 series is recognized globally as one of the most widely used large turboprop aircraft, renowned for its reliability and efficiency.
This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the aviation community and has underscored the inherent risks associated with severe weather conditions during flight. As investigations proceed, more details are expected to emerge, providing further insight into the factors that led to this heartbreaking disaster.
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