15-8-2024 (SÃO PAULO) The investigation into last week’s tragic Brazilian plane crash, which claimed the lives of all 62 passengers and crew, has taken a new turn with the revelation of the full transcript from the aircraft’s “black box”. However, according to a report by local television station Globo, the contents have not immediately shed light on the cause of the accident.
The ill-fated ATR-72 turboprop, operated by local airline Voepass, was en route from Cascavel in the southern state of Paraná to São Paulo when it crashed in the town of Vinhedo, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of its destination. The incident, which occurred at around 1:30 pm local time, miraculously resulted in no casualties on the ground.
Globo’s flagship news programme, Jornal Nacional, citing unnamed sources close to the investigation, reported that the cockpit voice recorder transcript spans approximately two hours. Crucially, it reveals that the pilot and co-pilot noticed a rapid loss of altitude about one minute before the crash. The co-pilot is said to have questioned the pilot about the situation and remarked that the aircraft needed “more power” to stabilise.
Chilling footage shared on social media in the aftermath of the accident depicted the aircraft spiralling out of control before disappearing behind a cluster of trees near residential areas, followed by a substantial plume of black smoke.
The Brazilian Air Force had previously stated that the pilots did not report any emergency or adverse weather conditions prior to the crash. This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
According to Globo’s sources, the audio analysis alone is insufficient to determine the cause of the crash at this stage. Investigators reportedly did not identify any characteristic sounds typically associated with fire, electrical failure, or engine malfunctions. However, they noted that the audio quality was poor, potentially hampering their efforts.
One theory that has emerged in the wake of the crash involves potential icing on the aircraft’s wings. Aviation experts analysing video footage of the incident have speculated about this possibility. However, Globo reports that authorities have neither confirmed nor ruled out this scenario.
The Brazilian Centre for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa) has yet to comment on Globo’s report. As the investigation continues, families of the victims and the aviation community eagerly await further developments that may explain this tragic incident.
