BTN News: The recent crash of a Voepass airline in Brazil has left the aviation world grappling with a tragic loss and a series of unresolved questions. The incident, which resulted in the death of 61 individuals, has prompted experts to speculate on the possible causes behind the catastrophic event. The aircraft involved, a French-manufactured ATR-72-500 twin-engine plane, went down in a residential area in the municipality of Vinhedo, São Paulo, as it neared the end of its journey from Cascavel to São Paulo. Despite crashing into a residential neighborhood, remarkably, there were no casualties on the ground as the plane struck only the backyards of the homes, avoiding any buildings. As authorities and aviation experts continue to investigate, two potential causes have emerged as the leading theories: the formation of ice on the wings and a possible imbalance during the flight. Both theories are critical to understanding what could have led to such a disastrous outcome.
The first and most likely theory, according to Celso Faria de Souza, a seasoned forensic expert in aviation accidents and the director of the Brazilian Association of Flight Safety (Abravoo), is that ice may have formed on the wings of the aircraft. This could have led to a loss of lift, ultimately causing the plane to plummet from the sky. Souza, who analyzed images of the wreckage, pointed out that the structure of the aircraft remained largely intact, which supports the hypothesis of ice formation. He suggested that a failure in the plane’s de-icing system could have allowed ice to accumulate on the wings, leading to a sudden and uncontrollable loss of altitude. This explanation aligns with the plane’s abrupt descent, as the aircraft reportedly dropped out of the sky within a minute, from an altitude of about 3,500 meters.
The second theory, though considered less likely, involves a potential imbalance within the aircraft. According to Souza, there’s a possibility that cargo inside the plane may have shifted toward the rear, leading to a loss of stability and lift. While this scenario is less probable, it cannot be entirely ruled out until further investigations are conducted. The idea that a weight imbalance could have contributed to the accident highlights the importance of proper cargo handling and weight distribution in maintaining an aircraft’s stability during flight.
Adding to the mystery, the flight appeared to be progressing normally until 13:20 local time when communication with the aircraft suddenly ceased. One minute later, the plane vanished from radar screens, leaving air traffic controllers and authorities scrambling to understand what had happened. Data from Flightradar, a leading flight tracking website, indicates that the aircraft descended rapidly, suggesting that whatever occurred happened suddenly and with little to no warning.
During a press conference, Luiz Ricardo de Souza, the director of Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), emphasized that it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions about the cause of the crash. He noted that the aircraft was certified to fly under the atmospheric conditions present at the time, including potential ice formation, and was equipped with systems designed to prevent ice accumulation. The aircraft, which had been in operation since 2010 and was introduced to the Brazilian market in 2022, was reported to be in full compliance with aviation regulations, with all necessary certifications up to date.
One of the most puzzling aspects of this tragedy is the lack of any emergency communication from the pilot. Typically, in the event of a critical issue, pilots are trained to communicate with air traffic control to alert them to any problems. However, in this case, no such communication occurred, leaving investigators to rely heavily on the aircraft’s black boxes to provide crucial insights into what went wrong. The recovery of the black boxes, which record flight data and cockpit conversations, is expected to be key in unraveling the sequence of events that led to this devastating crash.
While the investigation is still in its early stages, the theories presented by experts underscore the complexity of aviation safety and the numerous factors that can contribute to a disaster. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks of air travel, even in the most routine flights. As authorities continue to sift through the evidence, the aviation community, along with the families of the victims, awaits answers that may help prevent future tragedies of this nature.
