The pilot of an ultralight plane, who was carrying an advertising banner, died after the aircraft fell into the sea off Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeirothis Saturday afternoon, December 27.
According to the media G1, The pilot was on his first day of work. His body was sent to the medical examiner’s office for identification.
According to local media, it was the pilot’s first day of work. Photo: screenshot/social networks.Fire department rescue teams worked at the scene with jet skis, inflatable boats, divers and air support.
The search also included sonar equipment to help locate possible additional victims and debris from the plane.
Security camera footage released by authorities shows the plane nose-diving into the sea near the beach around 12:30 in the afternoon (15:30 hs GMT).
Pilot crashed while trying to land on Copacabana beach, close to Copacabana Palace and area of the New Year’s Eve show #copacabana pic.twitter.com/1gmon8beLZ
— Antonio Benvenutti (@ahb_neto) December 27, 2025
The Brazilian air force reported that it had opened an investigation into the cause of the accident. The aircraft was a Cessna 170A owned by an advertising company.
The tragic accident in Copacabana: what is known so far
Later, the middle The Globe reported that the company in question is Visual Aerial Advertisingwhich did not have authorization to carry out the publicity stunt.
According to the Brazilian media, the information was confirmed by the city council, which also indicated that the company will be sanctioned for irregular advertising.
Fire department rescue teams worked at the scene with jet skis, inflatable boats, divers and air support. Photo: screenshot/social networks.It remains to know the cause of the accident, or if the plane was licensed to fly, as well as if the pilot was qualified to handle the aircraft. The company that owns the plane will be responsible for recovering it from the seabed.
At the time of the accident, there were jet skis and other vessels on the Brazilian coast. However, no other injuries were reported.
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) reported that investigators from the regional body of the Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa) began the investigation into the accident.
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