Tragic Double Accident: Helicopter and Aircraft Crashes in Ouro Preto, Brazil

On Friday, October 11, 2024, two separate but related aircraft crashes occurred in the mountainous region of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

These tragic incidents claimed the lives of seven people and involved both a firefighting aircraft and a search-and-rescue helicopter.

First Accident: Air Tractor AT-502B

• Aircraft Type: Air Tractor AT-502B
• Operator: Aeroterra Aviação
• Registration: PS-SLR
• Year of Manufacture: 2021
• Fatalities: 1 (Pilot)
• Total Occupants: 1
• Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
• Accident Location: Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais
• Flight Phase: En route
• Departure Airport: Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais
• Destination Airport: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

The Air Tractor AT-502B, a firefighting aircraft, crashed into a wooded area in Ouro Preto during a mission. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire, and the pilot, the only person on board, tragically died at the scene.

This accident occurred during the aircraft’s transit between Ponte Nova and Belo Horizonte as it was En route, and according to the Fire Department, the plane was not involved in firefighting at the time of the crash and was not operating to support the corporation.

Second Accident: Eurocopter EC-145 Helicopter

• Aircraft Type: Eurocopter EC-145
• Operator: Corpo de Bombeiros de Minas Gerais (CBMMG)
• Registration: PR-UEA
• Year of Manufacture: 2013
• Fatalities: 6 (All occupants)
• Total Occupants: 6
• Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
• Accident Location: Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais
• Mission Type: Military (Search and Rescue)
• Flight Phase: En route
• Departure Airport: Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais
• Destination Airport: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

In the aftermath of the Air Tractor crash, a Eurocopter EC-145 helicopter of the Minas Gerais Fire Department (CBMMG), callsign "Arcanjo 4", was deployed to conduct a search-and-rescue mission. Tragically, the helicopter crashed into a steep mountain range in the same region, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board.

The victims included two pilots, two military personnel, a nurse, and a SAMU doctor who were all on a rescue mission to locate the downed Air Tractor. The helicopter was destroyed upon impact.

Mission Context and Fatal Outcome

The Air Tractor AT-502B was on a flight between airports when it crashed in a wooded area, leading to a search-and-rescue mission by the Corpo de Bombeiros helicopter. Tragically, this second rescue operation resulted in another accident, when the Eurocopter EC-145, callsign "Arcanjo 4," crashed into a mountainous area. Both aircraft were destroyed, and a total of seven people lost their lives.

These accidents underline the inherent dangers faced by emergency responders in challenging terrains and conditions, particularly in regions prone to wildfires like Ouro Preto. While the exact causes of the crashes remain under investigation, early reports suggest difficult weather conditions and challenging terrain may have played a role.

Our thoughts go out to the families of the victims and the brave individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty.

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