Rescue teams have recovered at least 21 bodies following a plane crash in São Paulo, Brazil, that resulted in the deaths of all 62 people on board. Efforts to locate more victims continued overnight after the twin-engine turboprop, operated by Voepass, went down in Vinhedo. The aircraft was transporting 57 passengers and four crew members from Cascavel in Paraná to Guarulhos airport in São Paulo city, but an unaccounted passenger was later confirmed.
Social media footage captured the plane spiraling down before the crash, which occurred in a residential area, although there were no reported injuries on the ground. Only one home sustained damage. Captain Maycon Cristo from the fire department indicated that two individuals have been identified using evidence from the crash site, including personal documents, body positioning relative to seats, and mobile phones retrieved from victims. The deceased are being transported to a police morgue in São Paulo, while families of the victims are being accommodated in a nearby hotel.
This incident marks Brazil’s deadliest plane crash since 2007, when a TAM Express plane crashed at São Paulo’s Congonhas airport, claiming 199 lives. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities having recovered the flight recorders. ATR, the manufacturer of the plane, has pledged to support the investigation. Flight tracking data shows that the plane took off from Cascavel at 11:56 local time on Friday, with a scheduled arrival at 13:40. The last signal from the aircraft was received approximately 20 minutes before its expected landing.
Brazil’s civil aviation agency stated that the aircraft, built in 2010, was in good condition with valid registration and airworthiness certificates. All four crew members were properly licensed and qualified. The Uopeccan Cancer Hospital in Cascavel reported that two of its trainee doctors were among the deceased passengers. Local residents recounted the harrowing moment of the crash, with one individual describing seeing the aircraft explode in their backyard, initially believing it was a failing helicopter. Fortunately, they and their household were unharmed, though there was minimal damage to property.