ATR-72 Crash Near Sao Paulo: Investigators Delve Into Possible Causes

An ATR-72 plane operated by Voepass crashed in a residential area near Sao Paulo, killing all 62 passengers on board. The incident occurred during a flight from Cascavel and investigators have recovered the black box for analysis. Experts point to potential factors like icing, engine failure, or human error.

An ATR-72 turboprop plane operated by regional carrier Voepass tragically crashed on Friday in a residential area near Sao Paulo, Brazil, resulting in the loss of all 62 passengers aboard. The black box, which contains crucial voice recordings and flight data, has been recovered by investigators. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, according to the head of Brazil's aviation accident investigation center, Cenipa.

The aircraft was en route to Sao Paulo from Cascavel in Parana state and lost contact around 1:22 p.m., moments before the crash in Vinhedo, 80 km northwest of Sao Paulo. Initial reports suggest the plane was flying normally until 1:21 p.m., when it ceased responding to calls and subsequently vanished from radar. Eyewitness videos show the plane spiraling abnormally before impact, despite clear sky conditions.

Experts are examining various factors including weather conditions and technical functionality. Some speculate icing may have played a role, a known issue with ATR-72 models. While some experts believe an engine failure or human error might be at fault, ongoing investigations aim to pinpoint the exact cause. Past incidents, like the 1994 crash in Indiana and the 2016 incident in Norway, highlight recurrent issues with this aircraft model.

(With inputs from agencies.)