Brazil's federal police have formally accused 16 current and former employees of the airline Voepass in connection with a 2024 plane crash that resulted in the deaths of all 62 people aboard. The investigators detailed alleged acts of malpractice, omission, and negligence by the company.
Among those formally accused is Voepass owner and president José Luiz Felicio Filho. Local prosecutors will ultimately decide whether to bring charges against him and the other accused individuals. The 15 other former and present Voepass employees face accusations of endangering air traffic safety, a charge that could carry a prison sentence of up to 12 years. Some individuals are also accused of failing to record technical issues in aircraft logbooks.
The incident occurred on August 9, 2024, when an ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft en route from Cascavel to Guarulhos International Airport lost altitude rapidly, crashing into the backyard of a condominium in Vinhedo, near Sao Paulo. The flight was carrying 58 passengers and four crew members.
Investigation Findings
Federal police investigator André Ribeiro stated that the aircraft's data recorders indicated repeated failures of the de-icing system, or manual activation and deactivation, during 136 flights. Ribeiro also noted that the aircraft was cleared for departure into severe icing conditions despite experiencing de-icing system malfunctions on three prior flights on the day of the crash.
Investigators concluded after a two-year inquiry that deliberate omissions, improper maintenance, and organizational failures were direct contributors to the aircraft entering dangerous weather conditions. A Brazilian air force probe last month similarly concluded that a combination of severe icing, mechanical failures, and pilot distractions led to the crash, which was the country's deadliest air disaster since 2007.
Ribeiro suggested that prosecutors should also examine potential new accusations against Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). Thalles Andrade, an attorney representing the victims' families, announced plans to seek damages against all parties responsible, including individuals and companies involved in the flight's operation and ticket sales.
None of the 16 individuals formally accused by the federal police have commented on the accusations.