58 passengers and four crew members were killed in a tragic plane crash in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, making it one of the worst aviation incidents in the country’s history. Civil defence teams are working around the clock to recover the bodies of the victims from the fiery crash site near Vinhedo.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, with reports mentioning the possibility of ice formation in the area where the plane went down. The plane, an ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop operated by Voepass airline, was en route to Sao Paulo’s international airport when it crashed.
As recovery efforts continue, the position of the bodies and physical characteristics are being used to aid in identification. Relatives of the victims are providing genetic material for DNA identification. The plane’s black box has also been recovered in a preserved state.
French-Italian plane manufacturer ATR has confirmed that the crashed plane was an ATR 72-500 model and is providing support for the investigation. The ATR 72 is typically used for shorter flights and is certified to fly in severe icing conditions.
This tragic incident marks Brazil’s deadliest aviation disaster since 2007. The world’s deadliest crash since 2023 involved an ATR 72 in Nepal, with the final report blaming pilot error. The investigation into the Sao Paulo crash is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as authorities work to determine the cause of the tragedy.
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