Tragic Plane Crash in Brazil Claims 61 Lives

An airplane carrying 57 passengers and four crew members crashed on Friday in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, resulting in the death of everyone on board, according to Voepass airline. The ATR 72-500 aircraft was en route from Cascavel in southern Parana state to Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport when it went down.

Initially, Voepass reported that the plane had 58 passengers, but later corrected the number to 57. Local media images revealed a dramatic scene: the plane spinning almost vertically as it descended, with a large plume of smoke rising from the crash site in what appeared to be a residential area.

“There were no survivors,” confirmed the Valinhos city government, which was involved in the rescue and recovery operations. Vinhedo, with a population of around 76,000, is located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.

Recovery efforts are underway, with Sao Paulo State Governor Tarcisio de Freitas stating that the identification of victims’ remains would continue through the night. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of mourning in response to the tragedy.

Voepass has pledged full cooperation with authorities to determine the cause of the crash and is assisting the victims’ families. The airline reported that the plane, a twin-engine turboprop, took off with no flight restrictions and all systems operational.

The Brazilian aviation accident agency, CENIPA, has initiated an investigation into the incident. ATR, the Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer and Airbus subsidiary, is also providing support to investigators.

Eyewitnesses described the crash as terrifying. Truck driver Martins Barbosa, who was working nearby, feared the plane might have struck his home. Nathalie Cicari, a local resident, recounted hearing a loud, drone-like noise before witnessing the plane spinning uncontrollably. Ricardo Rodrigues, another witness, reported seeing numerous bodies on the ground.

Firefighters, military police, and state civil defense units were quickly deployed to the scene. Local officials confirmed that the crash did not cause any additional casualties on the ground and that the fire has been extinguished. The plane’s black box has been recovered and appears to be intact.

The plane had been in service since April 2010, according to planespotters.net. Despite significant improvements in air safety globally, deadly crashes remain relatively frequent in developing countries. This incident brings the total number of aircraft accidents in Brazil this year to 108, with 49 fatalities.

In January 2023, another ATR 72, operated by Yeti Airlines, crashed in Nepal, killing all 72 aboard. Authorities attributed that incident to pilot error.