Brazil's Cenipa says icing detectors were activated on crashed Voepass plane
Brazil's Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa) said yesterday that a preliminary report into the August crash of a Voepass airliner showed icing detectors had been activated on the ATR aircraft.
According to a Cenipa official, the plane's airframe icing button was activated at least three times during the flight, while cockpit recordings showed the copilot said there was "a lot of icing."
The ATR-72 aircraft from local carrier Voepass swirled out of control before plunging to the ground on Aug. 9, killing all 62 on board.
Cenipa said that the copilot's comment indicated that the plane's de-icing system might have failed, but said that still needed to be confirmed.
According to Cenipa, investigations into the crash will probably last for over a year.
The preliminary report on the crash confirmed that the pilots had repeatedly turned the airframe de-icing system on and off.
The report gives a timeline of the flight but does not present clear causes.
"That is consistent with the flight crew being aware of airframe icing and them trying to deal with it using systems on board the aircraft," said Anthony Brickhouse, a U.S. aviation safety expert.
The turboprop, bound for Sao Paulo's international airport, had taken off from Cascavel, in the state of Parana and crashed in the town of Vinhedo, some 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo. security if they closed the doors of the administrative office.
The imbroglio was sparked after staff attempted to close the door and POSINCO Security insisted that it remain open.
MovieTowne's officials told the Express that POSINCO Security even used a piece of cardboard to keep the door ajar and from not being locked.
Bacchannal followed just before 11 a.m. when TCDC chairman Derek Chin arrived with his team of security and he (Chin) questioned what he said were "unlawful" actions of POSINCO's security.
The Express obtained video footage of the altercation where a POSINCO Security is seen saying "I don't care! The point is I have a job to do"
The security is heard further saying "You tell me you want to close the door. I am telling you no!"
TCDC's Telecom Security officer is heard saying "they can't be threatening us with firearms".
Chin is also heard pointing out that his officers are not armed.
Another video showed the cardboard that was used to prevent the door from being closed.
Eventually, Chin told his security to leave the POSINCO Security alone and leave the door open.
The Express
MovieTowne manager that majority of the administrative staff are women and the presence of POSINCO's security on a daily basis and their actions are intimidating.
"They are specifically engaging in bullying tactics and intimidating my staff by stationing two large men outside our premises. The court order does not grant them any access to our administration building, yet they are attempting to force us to leave our door open .... We question why they are insisting on having our office door open and what their intentions are. They are further escalating the situation by threatening to use force if we do not comply with their demands," said a manager.
POSINCO, which oversees the land rentals for the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) and TCDC have been in a legal dispute over some $10 million in rent that they claim is owed by TCDC.
TCDC has argued that they do not owe this amount as they rejected a valuation report by G.A Farrell & Associates which they say is flawed and caused them to overpay rent.
On Monday POSINCO issued a release stating that, after two unsuccessful injunctions filed by TCDC’s attorneys, POSINCO retains its right of possession of the facility in accordance with the Deed of Lease