Brazil’s Federal Court has accepted charges against 12 current and former Voepass executives and employees over the crash of ATR 72-500 PS-VPB flight 2283 in Vinhedo, São Paulo state. The aircraft crashed on 9 August 2024 while operating between Cascavel and Guarulhos, killing all 62 people aboard, including 58 passengers and four crew members.
The defendants include Voepass owner and president José Luiz Felício Filho, alongside directors, managers and personnel responsible for operations, maintenance, engineering and operational safety. Two employees whom prosecutors identify as having contributed directly to the circumstances preceding the crash are also defendants.
They face charges involving endangering air-transport safety and causing an air-transport disaster. Prosecutors allege that management decisions and conditions involving the airline’s maintenance, operations and safety arrangements contributed to the accident. Related allegations also concern risks allegedly imposed on passengers and crew during the three flights operated by the aircraft immediately before the crash.
Four other people initially indicted by Brazil’s Federal Police were excluded from the criminal complaint after entering non-prosecution agreements with the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. The court’s decision formally opens criminal proceedings but does not establish guilt; individual responsibility will be examined during the case.