Brazil’s federal police have formally accused 16 current and former employees of Voepass airline for their involvement in the 2024 plane crash that resulted in the tragic deaths of 62 individuals. The authorities have highlighted various alleged acts of malpractice, negligence, and omission by the airline.
Among those accused in the crash that occurred in Vinhedo, outside Sao Paulo, is Voepass owner and president José Luiz Felicio Filho. Prosecutors at the local level will determine whether formal charges will be brought against him and the other individuals implicated in the incident.
The federal police have also leveled accusations against 15 past and present Voepass employees for endangering air traffic safety, which could lead to potential imprisonment for up to 12 years. Some of the accused face additional charges related to the failure to report technical malfunctions in the aircraft logbooks.
The fatal crash took place on August 9, 2024, when an ATR 72-500 twin-engine turboprop aircraft traveling from Cascavel to Guarulhos international airport crashed into a gated condominium, claiming the lives of 58 passengers and four crew members. Investigations revealed repeated failures in the aircraft’s de-icing system during flights, with the system experiencing issues on multiple occasions before the tragic incident.
Federal police investigator André Ribeiro highlighted that the aircraft was cleared for departure despite known de-icing system failures and severe icing conditions. Ribeiro emphasized the significance of the case in air crash investigations and suggested the potential need to explore further accusations against Brazil’s aviation agency ANAC.
Thalles Andrade, representing the victims’ families, expressed intentions to pursue legal action against all responsible parties, including individuals, companies, and entities involved in the operation and ticket sales. The accused individuals did not provide any comments following the federal police’s actions.
The federal police’s conclusions, announced after a two-year investigation, pointed towards deliberate omissions, inadequate maintenance practices, and organizational shortcomings as key factors contributing to the aircraft’s exposure to hazardous weather conditions. A recent Brazilian air force inquiry confirmed that a combination of severe icing conditions, mechanical failures, and pilot distractions played a role in Brazil’s deadliest air crash since 2007.
