Incident: Azul AT72 enroute on Jul 26th 2013, both engines shut down in flight intentionally to regain control of the aircraft
By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Aug 8th 2013 15:38Z, last updated Friday, Aug 9th 2013 21:59Z
An Azul Linhas Aereas Avion de Transport Regional ATR-72-500, registration PP-PTU performing flight T4-5591 from Maceio,AL to Salvador,BA (Brazil) with 58 passengers and 4 crew, was enroute when the aircraft encountered severe vibrations in both engines. The crew intentionally shut down both engines in order to regain control of the aircraft, descended the aircraft and were able to relight both engines some time later. The aircraft continued to Salvador,BA for a safe landing.
The French BEA reported in their weekly bulletin released on Aug 8th 2013, that there were strong vibrations in both engines, the crew cut off both engines in order to regain control of the aircraft, then relighted the engines and diverted to Salvador. Brazil's CENIPA is investigating.
The airline refused any comment pointing out that CENIPA is investigating.
CENIPA did not reply to The Aviation Herald's e-mails at all. A local contact was told that CENIPA is not investigating "any recent ATR" event.
On Aug 9th 2013 Azul's Chief Pilot told The Aviation Herald that the aircraft was enroute at FL160 from Maceio to Salvador (editorial note: effectively rendering the time stamp provided by the BEA as incorrect) when strong vibrations, the cause of which the crew could not identify, prompted the crew to reduce power on both engines and initiate an emergency descent. The vibrations ceased and the crew restored normal engine power. The crew continued the flight to Salvador. So far no indication of systems or components failure has been found, moderate icing is being considered as cause of the event however has not yet been confirmed. CENIPA is investigating with full support by Azul and ATR.

