Turboprop Aircraft Pioneer in the Spotlight After Crash in Brazil, What’s So Great About It?

BRAZIL – An ATR 72-500 passenger plane carrying 61 people crashed outside São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday (8/9/2024) afternoon, killing everyone on board. Flight tracking data showed the ATR 72-500, a twin-engine turboprop, dropped 17,000 feet in just over a minute, but it was not immediately clear why it did so.

It is only natural that ATR is in the spotlight. ATR, short for Avions de Transport Régional, is the world’s leading turboprop aircraft manufacturer based in Toulouse, France.

Founded in 1981 as a joint venture between Aérospatiale (now Airbus) of France and Aeritalia (now Leonardo) of Italy, ATR has become a major player in the regional aviation industry, providing efficient and reliable air transport solutions to airlines worldwide.

The ATR 72-500 aircraft itself is the latest generation of turboprop aircraft that offers a combination of technology, comfort, passenger appeal, performance and cost efficiency.

ATR has proven itself as a global leader in the regional turboprop aircraft industry. With its efficient, reliable and flexible aircraft, ATR has helped connect communities around the world and drive economic growth in remote areas.

ATR’s commitment to innovation and sustainability will ensure that the company continues to play a vital role in the aviation industry in the future.

Advantages of Turboprop Engines

Turboprop engines are known to be fuel efficient, especially on short and medium-haul flights. This allows airlines to save on operating costs and reduce environmental impact.

This efficiency is especially beneficial for regional airlines that frequently operate on short routes with high flight frequencies.
Turboprop engines produce high thrust at low speeds, allowing ATR aircraft to take off and land on shorter runways.

This capability is especially important for airlines serving remote areas or small islands with limited airport infrastructure.

Reliability and Ease of Maintenance

Turboprop engines also have a relatively simple and robust design, making them easier to maintain and have a high level of reliability.

This reduces aircraft maintenance costs and downtime, thereby increasing airline operational efficiency.

Another advantage of turboprop engines is that they produce lower noise levels than jet engines, especially inside the cabin.
This increases passenger comfort, especially on short-haul flights.