Brazilian air force investigators have determined that severe icing conditions, coupled with mechanical system failures and pilot distractions, contributed to the 2024 Voepass airplane crash that killed 62 people. The findings were released Thursday, detailing the country's deadliest air disaster since 2007.
The Voepass ATR 72-500 twin-turboprop crashed into a residential neighborhood in Vinhedo, near Sao Paulo, on August 9, 2024, claiming the lives of everyone on board. The flight was en route from Cascavel to Sao Paulo's international airport when it encountered severe atmospheric icing at 17,000 feet.
According to the investigation, the heavy ice accumulation caused the aircraft to lose lift and enter an unrecoverable flat spin. Flight recorders indicated that the crew was aware of the ice buildup, but the plane's de-icing system experienced recurring technical faults and was repeatedly manipulated during critical phases of the flight.
Investigators also noted a systemic "culture of normalizing deviations" within Voepass, pointing to pre-existing mechanical issues, including known de-icing faults, that were tolerated prior to takeoff. Furthermore, the probe revealed that the crew was distracted by routine radio communications and administrative tasks during severe icing warnings, delaying necessary correction maneuvers.
The investigative findings were presented to the victims' families prior to their public release.