Accident in Vinhedo (SP) is the 5th worst in history involving ATR 72

The crash of the ATR-72, registration PS-VPB, in Vinhedo on Friday (9), which left 62 dead, is the fifth worst accident in history involving the model from the Franco-Italian manufacturer. The data is compiled by the consultancy Aviation Safety Network.

The ATR-72 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, high-wing commercial turboprop whose first flight took place in 1988. Since then, 403 incidents involving the aircraft have been recorded, including 66 accidents and 532 deaths. There have been 40 episodes in which the aircraft was a total loss.

In Brazil, to date, there have been 33 occurrences. Until the accident of flight 2283, which was traveling from Cascavel (PR) to Guarulhos (SP), there were no records of deaths among them.

The worst accident in the history of the model occurred in January last year, in the city of Pokhara, Nepal, with the crash of the aircraft operated by Yeti Airlines. The crash of the ATR 72-500 — the same model as the Voepass plane that crashed in Vinhedo — left 72 dead.

The first recorded occurrence of fatalities involving the aircraft was the crash of an American Eagle ATR 72-212 near Roselawn, in the United States, in October 1994. 68 lives were lost.

The standard configuration of the ATR 72-500 has 68 seats. Other options range from 64 to 74 seats.

Major accidents involving the ATR 72

1. January 2023: ATR-500, Yeti Airlines, Pokhara (Nepal) – 72 deaths
2. November 2010: ATR 72-212, Aerocaribbean, near Guasimal (Cuba) – 68 deaths
3. October 1994: ATR 72-212, American Eagle, near Roselawn (USA) – 68 deaths
4. February 2018: ATR 72-212, Iran Aseman Airlines, Yasuj (Iran) – 66 deaths
5. August 2024: ATR 72-500, Voepass, Vinhedo (Brazil) – 62 fatalities

The aircraft in question is a well-established and successful model on the market.

The ATR 72-500 is widely used in regional aviation, being ideal for medium distances and with capacity to transport between 50 and 90 passengers, depending on the configuration.