Voepass Plane Crash: Final Investigation Report Released, Citing 62 Fatalities

The Brazilian Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa) has released its final investigation report into the Voepass plane crash that occurred in Vinhedo, São Paulo, on August 9, 2024. The accident tragically claimed the lives of all 62 people on board, including 58 passengers and four crew members. The ATR 72-500 aircraft was en route from Cascavel, Paraná, to Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo when it crashed into a residential backyard. This incident marks the most severe aviation accident in Brazil since the TAM flight disaster in 2007. Prior to the public release, Cenipa presented its findings to the victims' families in a private briefing. A press conference was held in Brasília, with live coverage beginning at 4:40 PM local time. The report details the technical investigation, which involved extensive forensic analysis, including the examination of the aircraft's two black boxes, reconstruction of the flight path, and analysis of engine systems, de-icing, and stall protection. Meteorological conditions, pilot interviews, and maintenance records were also scrutinized. The investigation included a review of over 15,000 flights from the same airline fleet, simulator tests, and an experimental flight with a similar aircraft. International bodies, including France's BEA and Canada's TSB, reviewed the report due to their involvement in the aircraft's design. Cenipa emphasizes that its investigation is preventive, aiming to identify contributing factors and issue safety recommendations, not to assign civil or criminal liability. Concurrently, the Federal Police are conducting a separate criminal inquiry, with their findings potentially informing future indictments. Families of the victims are also planning a collective civil lawsuit for damages, in addition to ongoing individual compensation claims, seeking accountability from any parties deemed responsible for the tragedy.