Created Monday, Aug 12th 2024 07:26Z, last updated Monday, Aug 12th 2024 07:38Z
A Voepass Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration PS-VPB performing flight
2Z-2290 from Recife,PE to Salvador,BA (Brazil), was enroute when the crew received a low hydraulic quantity indication, the crew worked the related checklists and continued to destination. The aircraft landed on Salvador's runway 10 however the tail contacted the runway surface.
The aircraft was unable to continue service, remained on the ground in Salvador until Mar 28th 2024, then ferried to Voepass' maintenance facilities in Ribeirao Preto,SP (Brazil) and remained there until Jul 9th 2024.
Brazil's CENIPA reported without mentioning the tail number of the aircraft involved: "The aircraft took off from Guararapes Airport - Gilberto Freyre (SBRF), Recife, PE, bound for Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhães Airport (SBSV), Salvador, BA, in order to perform regular public air transportation. During the cruise phase, the aircraft displayed a low hydraulic oil level message. The procedures provided for in the manual were performed and the flight continued to the destination aerodrome. During landing, the aircraft made abnormal contact with the runway. After taxiing, the aircraft was handed over to the maintenance team." and categorized the damage as minor, there was no investigation.
Brazilian Media claim that according to maintenance documentation by the airline the aircraft had received substantial structural damage (editorial note: supported by the ground time of the aircraft returning to service only 120 days after the tail strike in Salvador).
According to ADS-B data the aircraft ferried from Salvador to Ribeirao Preto on Mar 28th 2024, the first flight after the occurrence, then remained on the ground in Ribeirao Preto until Jun 23rd 2024, when a flight from Ribeirao Preto to Ribeirao Preto, likely a test flight, was conducted, the aircraft subsequently returned to service on Jul 9th 2024. Brazilian Media claim, that during that flight 2Z-2204 from Ribeirao Preto to Sao Paulo Guarulhos cabin pressure was lost (CENIPA does not list such an occurrence), the aircraft returned to Ribereirao Preto the same day without passengers. The aircraft returned to service again on Jul 13th 2024 and has been flying since until the crash on Aug 9th 2024, see Crash: Voepass AT72 at Sao Paulo on Aug 9th 2024, spun out of control and lost height.
According to Brazilian Media a good number of passengers flying on that aircraft, including the day before the crash, complained about the air conditioning system not working with incredible heat on board of the aircraft.
