Brazil’s Congress has formed a 37-person committee to oversee an investigation into an aviation accident that occurred earlier this month, resulting in the deaths of 62 people. The Lower House Speaker, Arthur Lira, authorised the installation of the committee, which will track an inquiry by Cenipa, the body responsible for investigating aviation accidents. The lower house is set to decide on who to summon to speak before the panel on Tuesday, with the intention of proposing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Congressman Nelsinho Padovani stated that the committee’s purpose is not to carry out a witch-hunt but to identify key figures involved in the crash, in an effort to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. The fatal crash, involving an ATR 72-500 plane operated by Voepass, took place in the town of Vinhedo, located approximately 80km north of Sao Paulo. This incident marks Brazil’s deadliest aviation accident in over a decade, sparking concerns and calls for thorough investigation and accountability.
The committee is expected to invite figures such as Voepass President Jose Luiz Felicio Filho, Cenipa head Marcelo Moreno, and ANAC’s head Tiago Sousa Pereira to testify before the panel, although attendance is not mandatory. While Cenipa is set to release preliminary findings by September 6, the Congressional committee plans to hold hearings until December and aims to issue a comprehensive report by February. The circumstances leading to the crash on August 9 remain unclear, with some experts suggesting that ice accumulation on the wings of the plane could have caused the pilot to lose control.
The aftermath of the crash was captured on videos, showing burning debris from the plane scattered on the ground, highlighting the severity of the incident. Previous incidents involving ATR planes have also been linked to ice accumulating on the wings, raising concerns about the aircraft’s safety protocols. A spokesperson for ATR mentioned that there are no additional comments to add as the story unfolds, reassuring that they are closely monitoring the situation. The plane was en route to Sao Paulo from the Cascavel airport in the southern state of Parana, underlining the need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
The formation of the committee reflects the commitment of Brazil’s Congress to ensure accountability and prevent similar accidents in the future. With key figures expected to testify and provide insights into the crash, the committee aims to propose measures that would enhance aviation safety standards and protocols. The investigation is ongoing, with Cenipa set to release preliminary findings soon and the Congressional committee scheduled to carry out hearings until December. The tragic crash has sparked national attention and calls for transparency, as the investigation unfolds to determine the root cause of the devastating incident in Vinhedo.
