(Photo by MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP via Getty Images)
On Friday (August 9), authorities in Brazil began an investigation into a fiery plane crash in a gated community. Associated Press reports that all 62 people on board Flight 2283 died in the wreck.
Local investigators are still investigating why the airplane crashed in Vinhedo while en route to Sao Paulo’s international airport Guarulhos. IT had departed from Cascavel in Parana state. The airline, Voepass, initially said 61 were on board but later updated the number of lives claimed after uncovering a clerical error.
The plane crash involved an ATR 72-twin engine turboprop. It’s the same aircraft model that crashed in Nepal in January 2023, killing 72 people. The Yeti Airlines plane stalled and crashed while landing due ultimately to “pilot error,” per AP. Note that Friday’s plane crash in Brazil marks the world’s deadliest so far this year.
AP reports that investigators are still seeking clarity on what caused the Voepass plane to crash about 50 miles northwest of its designation.
The airline has not released the names of the people who passed away, which included 58 passengers and four crew members. No survivors. Though the plane landed in a gated, residential community, no one from the neighborhood passed away.
Additionally, Guilherme Derrite, Public Security Security for San Paulo, confirmed that authorities had recovered the aircraft’s black box. According to the AP, state firefighters, military police, and the civil defense authority assisted at the scene of the plane crash.
Meanwhile, footage from the fiery scene taken by witnesses has been surfacing online and in the media. GloboNews reportedly aired footage of the plane plunging in a flat spin, while eyewitness clips reviewed by AP showed at least two bodies in the wreckage.
Local outlets, like GloboNews, have suggested ice formation in Vinhedo contributed to the crash. However, Voepass’ operations director has said that the forecast predictions of ice were within acceptable levels for air travel.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Carlos Henrique Bali of Brazil’s Air Force air accident agency said it’s too early to blame the ice.
Baldo said the plane was “certified in several countries to fly in severe icing conditions, including in countries unlike ours, where the impact of ice is more significant.”
Victims’ families are now being called to aid authorities with the identification of bodies using medical, X-ray, and/or dental exams.
This is a developing story.
