Investigation Begins as Families Mourn Victims of Brazilian Airliner Crash
On Sunday, more than 40 families gathered in Sao Paulo to mourn the victims of a tragic airliner crash that occurred in Brazil. Three French government investigators arrived in the country to assist with the investigation. Forensic experts worked diligently to identify the remains of the 62 people who lost their lives in the accident.
The ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop, operated by Brazilian airline Voepass, was en route to Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo when it crashed in Vinhedo, a city located 78 kilometers north of the destination. The remains of all 34 male and 28 female victims were recovered on Saturday.
It is customary for investigators from the country of origin of the airplane maker to be involved in inquiries on foreign soil when a crash involves one of their planes. In this case, three French investigators from BEA, the French authority for civil aviation security, are assisting with the investigation.
The bodies of the pilot, Danilo Santos Romano, and co-pilot, Humberto de Campos Alencar e Silva, were the first to be identified. Since then, an additional 10 bodies have been identified, and the process is ongoing. Sao Paulo state government reported that one body has already been prepared for burial, with seven more expected to follow on Sunday.
The tragic crash claimed the lives of several professionals, including eight physicians and four professors from Unioeste University. Among the passengers was also a 3-year-old girl named Liz Ibba dos Santos, who was traveling with her father. The remains of a dog named Luna, who was accompanying a Venezuelan family, were also found in the wreckage.
The Sao Paulo morgue has been working diligently to identify the bodies since Friday evening when they began receiving them. Relatives of the victims have been asked to provide medical, X-ray, and dental records to aid in the identification process. Blood tests have also been conducted to assist in the efforts.
Family members have taken to social media to express their grief and share their experiences. Tânia Azevedo, who lost her son Tiago in the crash, spoke of her belief that Tiago is now helping others who are in need of “light and love.” She expressed her struggle to visit the morgue, stating that she is in need of her own light and love during this difficult time.
Images captured by witnesses show the aircraft spiraling and crashing into the ground, resulting in a devastating fire that consumed the fuselage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported on the ground. The crash marks the deadliest airline incident since January 2023 when a Yeti Airlines plane crashed in Nepal, killing 72 people. That incident also involved an ATR 72, and the final report attributed the crash to pilot error.
Experts have suggested that severe icing conditions at the time of the crash could have played a role. Metsul, a respected meteorological company in Brazil, reported instances of severe icing in Sao Paulo state around the time of the accident. However, Brazilian aviation expert Lito Sousa cautioned against jumping to conclusions based solely on meteorological conditions. He explained that analyzing an air crash based on images alone can lead to inaccurate conclusions about the causes.
The Brazilian air force has announced that both flight recorders from the plane have been analyzed, and the results of their investigations are expected to be published within 30 days. Marcelo Moura, director of operations for Voepass, stated that while there were forecasts for ice, they were within acceptable levels for the aircraft.
The ATR 72, built by a joint venture between Airbus in France and Italy’s Leonardo SpA, is primarily used for shorter flights. However, crashes involving various models of the ATR 72 have resulted in a significant number of fatalities over the years. According to the Aviation Safety Network, there have been a total of 470 deaths in incidents involving the ATR 72 since the 1990s.
As investigations continue and families mourn their loved ones, the world stands in solidarity with the victims of this tragic airplane crash. Pope Francis even called for prayers for the victims during a public mass at the Vatican. The findings of the investigation will provide much-needed answers and insights into the causes of this devastating incident.
