FAB reveals how the Voepass accident happened after investigation

THE FAB (Brazilian Air Force) made available an animation of the crash of the Voepass plane. The aircraft crashed in Vinhedo, in the interior of São Paulo, and killed 62 people (58 passengers and 4 crew members) on August 9.

The animation is based on flight data recorder parameters. It was made by Labdata (Flight Recorder Data Reading and Analysis Laboratory).

Watch:

@poder360 THE #FAB (Brazilian Air Force) made available an animation of the crash of the plane #Voepass. The #aircraft ♬ original sound – Poder360

The crash of the ATR 72-500 plane is considered the most serious accident in Brazilian commercial aviation since 2007.

On Friday (6.set), the Cenipa (Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center) reported that the Voepass aircraft was up to date with maintenance and capable of flying in severe icing conditions. According to the preliminary report, the last general overhaul of the ATR model aircraft was carried out on June 24, 2023 and a daily check was carried out even before the flight departing from Cascavel (PR) to Guarulhos (SP).

According to the logbook records regarding the aircraft’s technical condition, one piece of equipment was not working. The equipment was Pack 1 on the left engine, which had been inoperative since August 5. Although it was not working, the absence of the equipment responsible in part for pressurizing the aircraft did not prevent the ATR from flying, even in adverse weather conditions.

The Cenipa report explains how the plane crashed and does not aim to specify responsibilities in the event. The explanation of the “why” there was an accident and it will still be investigated.

The fall

The Voepass pilot requested permission to prepare for landing for the first time at 1:18 p.m., but a flight on a converging route at a lower altitude prevented authorization. The aircraft then continued at an altitude of 5,181 meters.

At 13:20, the pilot received information that the approach would be authorized in 2 minutes, again because of an aircraft on a converging route, but at a lower altitude. However, 1 minute after the communication, at 13:21, the plane began to fall.