Tragedy in São Paulo: Plane Crash Claims 61 Lives in Brazil

[Social Media]

 

A plane crash in the Brazilian state of São Paulo has claimed the lives of all 61 individuals on board, marking a tragic day for the nation. The ill-fated twin-engine turboprop aircraft was en route from Cascavel, located in the southern state of Paraná, to Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo city when it tragically plummeted to the ground in the town of Vinhedo.

 

The airline Voepass confirmed the details of the accident. Heart-wrenching footage circulating on social media captured the moments before the crash, showing the plane descending vertically, spiraling as it fell. The aircraft, identified as an ATR 72-500, was carrying 57 passengers along with four crew members. Sadly, local authorities have confirmed that there were no survivors.

 

One witness, Felipe Magalhaes, shared his harrowing experience with the Reuters news agency: "When I heard the sound of the plane falling, I looked out my window at home and saw the moment it crashed." The terrifying sight left him in shock. Another resident, Nathalie Cicari, who was having lunch at the time, described hearing a "very loud noise very close by." She initially thought it was the sound of a drone but quickly realized it was much more serious. "I went out on the balcony and saw the plane spinning. Within seconds, I realized that it was not a normal movement for a plane," she told CNN Brasil.

 

The crash has deeply affected the entire nation, prompting an outpouring of grief and condolences. Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressed his heartfelt solidarity with the families and friends of the victims. At an event where he was speaking, President Lula somberly announced, “I have to be the bearer of very bad news and I would like everyone to stand up so that we can have a minute of silence." He later took to social media to share his sadness, stating, "All my solidarity to the families and friends of the victims."

 

São Paulo's state Governor, Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas, also responded to the tragedy by declaring three days of mourning in honor of those who lost their lives. The incident is being recognized as the worst plane crash in Brazil since 2007 when a TAM Express plane crashed and burst into flames at São Paulo's Congonhas Airport, resulting in the deaths of 199 people.

 

Despite the catastrophic nature of the crash, no one on the ground was injured. The plane came down in a residential area, but remarkably, only one home in a local condominium complex sustained damage. Videos from the scene showed a large area engulfed in flames, with smoke rising from the wreckage surrounded by houses. Police and fire services were quick to respond and have been working at the site.

 

Flight recorders from the plane have been recovered, and ATR, the French-Italian manufacturer of the aircraft, has pledged full cooperation with the investigation. In a statement, ATR said, "Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by this event. The ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation and the customer."

 

The plane involved in the crash was built in 2010 and, according to Brazil's civil aviation agency, had been "in good operating condition, with valid registration and airworthiness certificates." Additionally, the four crew members on board were all fully licensed and had valid qualifications at the time of the accident.

 

The flight, as tracked by the website Flightradar24, left Cascavel at 11:56 local time (14:56 GMT). The last signal from the aircraft was received about an hour and a half later, just before the tragic accident occurred.

 

The Uopeccan Cancer Hospital in Cascavel confirmed that two of its trainee doctors were among the passengers who perished in the crash. This loss adds a deeply personal dimension to the tragedy for the hospital and the local community.

 

In response to the disaster, the nearby town of Valinhos dispatched 20 emergency personnel to assist at the crash site as part of a coordinated operation. "Twenty men were mobilized, including three vehicles from the Valinhos Municipal Civil Guard and one vehicle from the Civil Defense," Valinhos City Hall reported in a statement.

 

As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, the nation mourns the loss of 61 lives, and the memories of those who perished will remain in the hearts of many. This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact such disasters have on communities, families, and an entire nation.

 

 

Credit: HBBC  2024-08-10

 

 

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[Rimmer]

Could be incorrect loading of the aircraft or ice on the wings leading to a stall then into a flat spin

[Tug]

6 minutes ago, Rimmer said:

Could be incorrect loading of the aircraft or ice on the wings leading to a stall then into a flat spin

I couldent detect any forward momentum it seemed to be flat spinning straight down horrible my deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved.at least it looks like the recorders should be easy to recover.

[CharlieH]

 

 

 

[CharlieH]