Cenipa completes extraction of 100% of the recordings from the black boxes of the plane that crashed in Vinhedo
With the information collected from the aircraft and the cabin audio, investigators can analyze the dynamics of the incident and identify the factors that possibly contributed to the plane crash.
Brazilian and French authorities at the scene of the accident in Vinhedo, SP - Photo Reproduction / Força Aérea Brasileira
The Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (Cenipa) announced this Sunday morning (11), the completion of the extraction of 100% of the recordings from the black boxes of the plane that crashed in Vinhedo, in the interior of São Paulo, in the early afternoon of last Friday. Brigadier Marcelo Moreno, head of the agency, reported that the data had been collected and validated.
According to him, the work of the investigators, who are still in the city of São Paulo, is now awaiting completion so that they can return to Brasília. Once this happens, the process of transforming this large volume of data into useful information for society will begin. The brigadier also informed that the plane's two engines will be examined in São Paulo to determine whether they were operating at adequate power at the time of the accident. Furthermore, Moreno confirmed that the preliminary investigation report will be released within 30 days.
Investigations
Three Representatives of the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (BEA) from France arrived this Sunday morning at the scene of the plane crash in Vinhedo (SP), which resulted in the death of 62 people. BEA was called by Brazilian authorities to collaborate in the investigations, since the aircraft involved, an ATR-72 model, was manufactured in France.
According to Moreno, representatives from the Transport Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are also expected in Vinhedo. The TSB is the Canadian equivalent of the BEA, which is the French body responsible for accident investigation, and the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (Cenipa). Experts from the three countries will collaborate in investigating the accident to determine its causes.
Black Boxes
Black box from the aircraft that crashed in Vinhedo (SP) - Photo Reproduction / Disclosure / FAB
The black boxes, made up of the flight data recorder, known as Flight data record (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder, known as the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), both are essential for understanding the causes of the accident, providing detailed information about the events that occurred before the tragedy. Complete extraction of recordings allows investigators to accurately analyze aircraft performance data and communications between the crew and air traffic control.
The CVR is an audio recorder that captures all conversations between the pilot and co-pilot, their communications with flight attendants and also interactions with air traffic control. The FDR records information and technical parameters of the aircraft, such as altitude, speed, position of the throttles, buttons pressed and other important data during the flight.
Why Black Boxes Are Important
Based on data collected from the aircraft and cabin audio, investigators are able to analyze the dynamics of the flight and the factors that may have contributed to the accident. According to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Cenipa is an international reference in investigations of this type. Black boxes, which are mandatory on most planes, were invented in the 1950s by Australian David Warren, as reported by Reuters. These boxes hold recorders that help identify the causes of accidents and thus prevent future incidents. Although they are called "black boxes", they are actually painted orange to be easily located, even amid rubble or submerged in water.
