Brazilian federal police formally accuse 16 Voepass staff over fatal 2024 crash

Brazil's federal police have formally accused 16 current and former Voepass employees, including the airline's president, of wrongdoing linked to the August 9, 2024 crash that killed 62 people.

Brazilian federal police announced that 16 individuals, both current and former employees of airline Voepass, have been formally accused of actions that led to the August 9, 2024 crash in Vinhedo, which claimed the lives of 62 passengers and crew. Among the accused is Voepass owner and president José Luiz Felicio Filho. Investigators cited a series of alleged malpractice, omissions and negligence, including failure to record technical problems in aircraft logs and improper maintenance practices.

Data from the flight recorders indicated repeated failures of the de-icing system, yet the plane was cleared to depart into known severe icing conditions after three prior flights that day experienced similar issues. The aircraft, an ATR 72-500 turboprop, was on a route from Cascavel to Guarulhos when it descended 13,000 feet into a gated community, killing all 58 passengers and four crew members. Prosecutors have yet to determine whether the accused will face formal charges, and the police suggested further scrutiny of Brazil's aviation regulator ANAC. The announcement concludes a two-year investigation that also found mechanical failures and pilot distraction contributed to the deadliest Brazilian air disaster since 2007.