Viral images will be key to investigating plane crash, former Cenipa tells CNN

Colonel Rufino Antônio da Silva Ferreira, who was head of the Investigation Division of the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (Cenipa), said in an interview with CNN that the images that went viral on the internet showing the crash of the ATR 27-500 in Vinhedo (SP) will be fundamental for the investigations into the accident.

According to Ferreira and other experts commenting on the case, it is still impossible to identify any of the contributing factors to the accident, which left 62 dead. “What we have so far are the facts: the plane crashed and, with the advent of technology, there are a series of images showing how it happened.”

“It helps a lot [para a investigação]. Having that scene allows us to analyze the pilot’s attempts. There is also the noise being emitted by the plane,” he said. The images show the plane in a “flat spin” condition, in a downward spiral rotation, but with little inclination of the nose.

Rufino Antônio da Silva Ferreira coordinated the investigations into the crash of Gol 1907 in 2006 at Cenipa. The Boeing 737 crashed after colliding in mid-air with an Embraer Legacy 600, resulting in 154 deaths.

The expert emphasizes that it is not possible to predict the time it takes to investigate an accident, since there is considerable variation from case to case. From now on, in general terms, CENIPA gathers committees of professionals, collects data, then analyzes this data, and only then reaches its first conclusions.

The investigation basically follows three lines: the operational, which will look at issues such as aircraft maintenance, flight plan, and even meteorology; the human, which will analyze factors linked to the lives of pilots, command center professionals, among others; and the material, to observe the aircraft, airport infrastructure, etc.

Because of these nuances, professionals from a wide range of areas will be involved, from mechanics to psychologists. An investigation of this size must involve dozens of people. The process coordinated by Ferreira, for example, involved more than 200.

It is worth noting that the CENIPA investigation does not have a criminal purpose, but is aimed at preventing new accidents, based on the analysis of information and obtaining conclusions, including the identification of the factors contributing to the occurrence. In parallel with the CENIPA process, the police authority conducts the criminal investigation.

Furthermore, Cenipa does not work with the “cause” of an accident, but with contributing factors. “Cause” refers to a factor that stands out, that is preponderant, and the investigation does not choose one factor as the main one.