In a tragic accident on Friday, a regional turboprop plane crashed into a residential neighborhood near Sao Paulo, Brazil, killing all 61 people on board. The aircraft, operated by Voepass and en route to Sao Paulo’s international airport from Cascavel, Parana, spiraled out of control before crashing in the town of Vinhedo around 1:30 p.m.

Dramatic video footage shared on social media captured the ATR-72 aircraft spinning uncontrollably before plummeting behind a cluster of trees, followed by a massive plume of black smoke. Witnesses described hearing a loud noise as the plane descended in a flat spin, with one resident, Daniel de Lima, noting, “It was rotating, but it wasn’t moving forward. Soon after, it fell out of the sky and exploded just like that.”

City officials confirmed that a house in a nearby condominium complex was damaged in the crash, though no residents were injured. De Lima speculated that the pilot may have attempted to avoid a more densely populated area, possibly preventing further casualties.

The unusual motion of the plane before impact has sparked speculation among aviation experts about potential causes, including ice buildup or engine failure. While investigators are still determining the exact cause, Voepass Chief Operations Officer Marcel Moura acknowledged that ice could be a factor, though the plane’s de-icing system was confirmed operational before takeoff.

This crash marks Brazil’s deadliest aviation disaster since 2007 and has prompted a thorough investigation involving both local and international experts. The aircraft’s black box has been recovered, and authorities are examining weather conditions, engine performance, and flight data to uncover what led to the catastrophic loss of control.

The tragic loss includes doctors from Parana who were en route to a seminar. Governor Ratinho Junior expressed sorrow, stating, “These were people who were used to saving lives, and now they’ve lost theirs in such tragic circumstances.”