A Voepass ATR 72-500, registered as PS-VPB, tragically crashed near São Paulo, Brazil today, while operating flight 2Z-2283 from Cascavel to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport. The aircraft was carrying 62 people on board, including 58 passengers and 4 crew members.
The incident occurred during the aircraft’s initial approach at an altitude of 17,000 feet. According to unverified video footage circulating on social media, the aircraft appeared to spin out of control in a left-hand spiral before crashing into a residential area in the Recanto Florido complex, Vinhedo, approximately 7 nautical miles southeast of Viracopos Airport and 40 nautical miles northwest of its intended destination, Guarulhos Airport.
The crash took place at around 1:22 p.m. local time and the aircraft reportedly broke apart upon impact before bursting into flames. Military Police were alerted to the crash six minutes later. Hospitals in the nearby cities of Vinhedo and Valinhos were placed on high alert to receive any potential survivors, although the status of those on board remains unconfirmed.
Warning: Disturbing footage:
BREAKING: Media reports that a Voepass ATR-72 has crashed in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Unverified video shows the aircraft spinning out of control while enroute to Guarulhos, Brazil. More details to follow. pic.twitter.com/1X0QVdGZ0Q
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 9, 2024
❗️✈️ – Images from the crash site of a Voepass Linhas Aéreas ATR 72-500 plane, which was heading from Cascavel (CAC) to São Paulo (GRU) and crashed recently in the Capela neighborhood, in Vinhedo, Brazil.
There is still no information about victims. pic.twitter.com/p2g5Bdm9b5
— The Informant (@theinformant_x) August 9, 2024
There’s more graphic content from the scene of the accident, which I won’t embed here.
The ill-fated ATR 72-500 had been in service for 14.3 years, initially delivered to Belle Air in June 2010. It joined the Voepass fleet on June 28, 2023. The aircraft was equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines.
In the aftermath of the crash, Voepass confirmed the accident and stated that it had “activated all means” to support those involved. Brazilian aviation authorities launched a formal investigation.