A tragic plane crash in Brazil has claimed the lives of all 62 people on board after a Voepass Airlines aircraft plunged to the ground in a catastrophic ‘death spiral.’ The flight, which was on its way from Cascavel to Guarulhos, ended tragically last Friday with dramatic shots showing the plane descending through trees and leaving behind a plume of black smoke.
Expert Insights into the Crash
Captain Ross Aimer, one of America’s leading aviation experts who has flown passenger jets for more than four decades now, shared his views on what might have caused the crash. The specialist opined that the accident probably took place due to a slow-speed stall—a situation where airflow over wings is not enough to keep them up, and this results in an extremely dangerous downward spiral.
Several possible causes outlined by Aimer may trigger this stall. Engine failure, which results in insufficient thrust to sustain flight, is one potential cause of the crash. Another possibility is a malfunction in the flight control systems, which can impair the pilot's ability to maintain the aircraft's trajectory. Additionally, the failure of a critical component, such as a wing part crucial for flight stability, could destabilize the plane. External factors, such as severe turbulence or a bird strike, may also contribute to a stall.
According to Captain Ross Aimer, it is very hard for an airplane involved in a death spiral ever to recover from it. At low-speed stalls, one wing produces lift while the other rotates, causing the plane to spin uncontrollably towards the earth's surface before crashing.
Historical Context of ATR Aircraft Accidents
The ATR-72 model involved in this accident has had its share of crashes, although it is generally considered a safe plane. One notable incident occurred in 1994 when an ATR-72 crashed due to pilot suicide in Morocco and a 2017 crash when an ATR-42 crashed in Canada resulting from severe icing conditions. Despite these instances, Aimer explained that the prevalent use of ATR-72s for commercial flights does not occur in the United States because of well-regulated safety standards and highly trained staff who have made their operations extremely secure.
Ongoing Investigation and Official Responses
The Brazilian Air Force has sent a team of investigators to the scene of the accident to find out what exactly caused it while Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, called for silence to remember the deceased.
Aimer concluded on a sober note calling for more technology advancements, improved safety training, and operational experience to ensure that such accidents do not happen again. The fact that this crash happened while the airplane was cruising at 17,000 feet underscores why strict adherence to safety protocols is essential for protecting passengers and crewmembers.
