A preliminary report on last month’s tragic plane crash in Brazilwhich claimed the lives of all 62 passengers and crew, reveals a troubling issue with the aircraft’s de-icing system. Published on Friday, the report suggests that ice formation on the plane’s wings and a malfunctioning de-icing system could have significantly contributed to the disaster.
Investigators have been cautious not to definitively link ice buildup to the crash, emphasizing that their work is ongoing. However, the report adds weight to the prevailing theory among aviation experts that ice formation and the de-icing system’s failure played a crucial role, reported AP.
On August 9, the Voepass flight, an ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop, took off from Cascavel, Paraná, heading to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport. The plane crashed into a residential area in Vinhedo, about 80 kilometers northwest of São Paulo, just minutes after reporting issues with ice accumulation.
Cockpit voice recorder data reveals that pilots were concerned about ice buildup, with the copilot noting, “A lot of ice,” just two minutes before the crash. The plane’s data recorder showed that the de-icing system, which is manually controlled by the pilots, repeatedly cycled on and off, suggesting it was activated but may not have functioned properly.
Carlos Henrique Baldin, head of the investigation division at Brazil’s Air Force Center for the Investigation and Prevention of Air Accidents (Cenipa), stressed that while ice formation seems to be a significant factor, “there are still many doubts.” The report also highlights that the aircraft was equipped with protection equipment that should have prevented such an incident.
Henrique Hacklaender, president of the national aviators’ union, noted that while the de-icing system was engaged, it remains unclear whether it was effectively utilized. “Based on the preliminary report, it isn’t possible to conclusively affirm that ice on the wings caused the accident, but there are indications it was a significant contributing factor,” Hacklaender told The Associated Press.
The investigation, which is also being reviewed by the Federal Police, is ongoing with no set deadline for completion. The ATR 72, produced by the French-Italian company ATR, has been involved in several fatal accidents over the years, including a similar crash in Nepal in January 2023.
As the probe continues, the aviation community and the victims’ families await further clarity on the cause of this devastating crash.
