The last moments of Pilot Danilo Santos Romano have been unveiled in the wake of a catastrophic plane crash that tragically claimed the lives of all 62 people aboard. The ATR-72 turboprop, operated by Veopass, was en route from Cascavel, Paraná, to Guarulhos, São Paulo, when it encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff.
According to the Brazilian Air Force, the aircraft operated normally until 1:21 p.m. local time when it abruptly ceased responding to radio communications. By 1:22 p.m., radar contact was lost, and the plane failed to report any emergencies. The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. near Vinhedo, São Paulo, with videos emerging on social media showing the plane spiraling out of control before disappearing behind trees, followed by a large plume of black smoke.
Initially reported to have 61 individuals on board, the number later rose to 62 upon discovering an unaccounted passenger. Among the victims was three-year-old Liz Ibba dos Santos, who was traveling with her father, alongside several doctors heading to a cancer conference in São Paulo.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed condolences, calling for a moment of silence during a public address. In the days following the tragedy, several individuals came forward, revealing they narrowly escaped boarding the doomed flight. One passenger shared his relief at missing the flight, stating, “My legs are shaking; only God knows how I’m feeling.”
While the precise cause of the crash remains undetermined, investigators are examining various theories, with icing conditions being a significant focus. Metsul, a respected meteorological organization in Brazil, reported severe icing in the area around the time of the incident. Icing can cause water droplets to freeze on an aircraft’s surfaces, compromising performance.
Celso Faria de Souza, a Brazilian crash investigator, noted that ATR-72 aircraft have faced icing issues in the past, leading to calls for improved de-icing systems. In a past incident in Indiana in 1994, an ATR-72 crash claimed 68 lives, prompting manufacturers to enhance safety measures.
Although Voepass stated that icing conditions were within acceptable limits, some experts argue that weather should not be ruled out as the primary cause. MIT professor John Hansman suggested that an engine failure could have caused the plane’s uncontrolled spiral, potentially exacerbated by pilot error.
In a press conference, Voepass CEO Eduardo Busch emphasized the crew’s competence and indicated that the airline was waiting to access communications between the pilot and control tower for further clarity. According to Globo TV, the pilots realized they were losing altitude just a minute before the crash.
The black box from the aircraft has provided additional insights into the tragic event. Transcript reports reveal Romano’s desperate requests for more power to stabilize the aircraft, ending with the chilling question, “What is going on?”
