In a devastating turn of events, a VOEPASS passenger plane carrying 61 people crashed fatally in the Recanto Florido residential area in Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil, on the morning of August 9, 2024. The crash killed all occupants and left the community in shock, although no casualties were reported on the ground.
The plane, an ATR 72-500, was en route from Cascavel to São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport. It was carrying 57 passengers and four crew members at the time of the accident, which occurred about 80 kilometers northwest of the city center of São Paulo.
VOEPASS released a statement confirming the tragic loss: “The airline is deeply saddened to report that all passengers and crew of Flight 2283 died at the scene of the accident. Our focus now is to provide full support to the grieving families and assist the ongoing investigation to ascertain the cause of this tragedy.”
In response to the incident, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a minute of silence at a public event, underlining the gravity of the situation the nation is facing.
Emergency response units, including firefighters and civil defense teams, were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they managed to secure the plane’s black box, which was found in good condition. São Paulo’s Secretary of Public Security, Guilherme Derrite, confirmed that there were no survivors and reassured the public that a thorough investigation was underway.
Local resident Ana Lucia, who witnessed the crash, described the terrifying moment as the plane approached the ground. “It was a scary sight and we were afraid it would hit our homes, but thankfully the residents here are safe. It’s heartbreaking that those on board were not so lucky,” she told media.
The crash attracted widespread attention, with national news agencies broadcasting images of the smoldering wreckage and rescue operations. Preliminary data from Flightradar24 suggests the plane had undergone an unusually rapid descent just before the crash.
The Brazilian Federal Police has launched a full investigation into the incident, with expert teams already working on the scene. Meanwhile, VOEPASS representatives at Guarulhos Airport are coordinating with the families of the victims, offering them support during this difficult time.
The aircraft manufacturer, ATR, has stated its commitment to support the investigation and provide the necessary assistance to VOEPASS during this difficult period.
This tragic event represents one of the most serious air disasters in Brazil’s recent history and has prompted the country to focus on air travel safety and regulatory standards.