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Ice, System Failures Caused Deadly Voepass Crash
24 Jul
Summary
- Ice buildup and de-icing system failures contributed to the fatal crash.
- Crew actions and airline operational deficiencies were cited as causes.
- Investigators found 19 factors, including crew emotional state and oversight issues.
In 2024, an ATR turboprop operated by Voepass crashed near Sao Paulo, resulting in the loss of all 62 lives onboard. Investigations revealed that severe ice accumulation on the aircraft, coupled with multiple failures in its de-icing system, were significant contributing factors. The flight crew's actions, including repeated activation and deactivation of the system amid warnings, and potential "inattentional blindness" were also implicated.
Investigators identified a total of 19 contributing factors. These included adverse weather conditions, the crew's emotional state, and insufficient regulatory oversight. The report detailed a "culture of informality" at Voepass, where maintenance issues were allegedly not properly logged, allowing aircraft to continue operating. This occurred after the airline had already faced safety concerns, leading to its operations suspension by ANAC and subsequent bankruptcy protection filing in April 2025.
The investigative body recommended that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) collaborate with ATR to review procedures for degraded performance. This aims to prevent similar critical situations in future flights. Brazil's aviation regulator, ANAC, is undertaking a 120-day review of the report's findings relevant to its jurisdiction.
