A regional plane crashed in a residential area near Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, killing all 61 people onboard. The turboprop aircraft was on its way to Sao Paulo’s international airport from Cascavel, in the state of Parana, when it crashed around 1:30 p.m. (1630 GMT) in Vinhedo, about 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.
Video from the scene shows the ATR-72 plane spinning uncontrollably before crashing behind trees and houses, creating a large plume of black smoke. Resident Daniel de Lima reported hearing a loud noise and seeing the plane spinning horizontally before it crashed and exploded.
City officials from Valinhos, near Vinhedo, confirmed there were no survivors. Only one home in a nearby condominium was damaged, but no residents were injured. De Lima speculated that the pilot might have tried to avoid a nearby densely populated area.
The plane’s unusual spinning before impact has puzzled aviation experts. There were no signs of severe weather, but investigators have not yet determined the cause. Voepass Chief Operations Officer Marcel Moura mentioned that while ice was predicted at the altitude the plane was flying, it was within acceptable levels. The plane’s de-icing system was reported to be functional before takeoff.
The Brazilian aviation investigation center Cenipa recovered the plane’s “black box,” which includes voice recordings and flight data. U.S. aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse indicated that the investigation will focus on weather conditions and whether the plane’s engines and controls were functioning properly. He noted significant speed changes before the crash.
Cenipa head Marcelo Moreno reported that initial findings suggest the aircraft did not contact traffic control about an emergency. Voepass initially reported 62 people onboard but later confirmed there were 57 passengers and four crew members. All passengers had Brazilian documents.
Some of the passengers were doctors heading to a seminar, according to Governor Ratinho Junior.
The plane was an ATR-72, made by Franco-Italian company ATR, which specializes in regional turboprop aircraft. ATR has joined the investigation, along with French and Canadian officials and Europe’s safety regulator.
This crash is Brazil’s deadliest since 2007 when 199 people were killed in a TAM Airlines flight, now part of LATAM Airlines.