A preliminary investigation into the recent Voepass ATR crash suggests that icing may have been a significant contributing factor to the accident. The preliminary report found evidence of airframe ice build-up on the aircraft. However, the definitive cause of the accident which claimed the lives of all on board has not yet been formally determined.
Preliminary Report Findings
The Brazilian aviation authority, CENIPA, has confirmed the presence of ice buildup on the aircraft, showing that anti-ice systems had been activated on the aircraft. During the flight, the Electronic Ice Detector warning had activated and deactivated several times.
The report also reveals that the airframe de-icing system had been turned on initially, but was then selected off when a crew member commented on the occurrence of a de-icing system fault.
The aircraft flight data recorder (FDR) showed that airframe de-icing system was subsequently activated twice more prior to the aircraft losing control. Recordings revealed that the first officer had commented that there was “a lot icing” during the regional flight.
A SIGMET was current for the flight information region that the ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop aircraft had traversed, indicating the presence of severe icing conditions.
Flight data revealed that prior to the control loss, an “increase speed” alert had triggered, followed by the activation of the stall warning. The aircraft subsequently entered a flat spin, completing 5 full rotations prior to impacting the ground.
Video footage captured by ground observers on the day of the Voepass crash show the aircraft clearly in a flat spin manoeuvre before the impact.
Vinhedo Crash Site
The crash occurred on 7 August in a gated community in Vinhedo, north of São Paulo. It involved an ATR 72-600 aircraft, registered PS-VPB operated by Voepass. The twin turboprop aircraft was carrying 62 people at the time – 58 passengers and 4 crew members. It subsequently experienced a loss of control and crashed following entry into a flat spin.
CENIPA’s initial findings indicate that the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to ice formation. Temperatures were below freezing, and there was moisture in the atmosphere. This creates a perfect environment for ice to accumulate on the aircraft’s surfaces. This typically includes the leading edges of wings, tailplane, and nose.
Ice buildup can have a significant impact on an aircraft’s performance. It can increase weight, reduce lift, and disrupt airflow over the wings, making it difficult to maintain control. In extreme cases, ice can cause the aircraft to stall or enter a spin.
Investigation Continues…
The exact sequence of events leading up to the crash still remains under investigation. However, it appears that the de-icing systems on the ATR 72 may have been compromised. These systems are designed to remove ice accretion from the wing leading edges after a build-up has occurred.
It is possible that the de-icing systems failed to remove all of the ice from the aircraft. This would potentially leave it vulnerable to the effects of ice build-up during flight. Additionally, the rate of ice accretion may have been faster than the de-icing systems could handle, overwhelming their capabilities.
The preliminary findings suggest that icing was a significant contributor to the Voepass accident. It is important to note that the ongoing investigation has not yet conclusively found icing to be the cause of the accident.
The investigation into the Voepass crash will now continue by the Brazilian aviation authorities.
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