Helicopter accident in RJ: Cenipa will investigate what caused the crash

Six people died after two helicopters collided in the air on Sunday morning (14), in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, west zone of Rio de Janeiro. The aircraft crashed into an electric vehicle yard on Avenida das Américas, and the causes of the collision are still being investigated by Cenipa (Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center), of the FAB (Brazilian Air Force).

Firefighters were called around nine in the morning. Cenipa teams were on site to collect and analyze the aircraft wreckage, which was spread over a large area around the point of impact.

Victims and aircraft routes
The victims identified are pilot Alexandre Souza, passengers Lucas Brito Chaves Frota, Oliver Tree, Lucas Vignale and Gaspar Prim, known as Gaspi, all on board one of the helicopters, in addition to pilot Charles Marsillac, who crewed the second aircraft. Oliver Tree is an American singer, and Gaspar Prim was an Argentine comedian.

Lucas Frota, music producer, had his burial confirmed for 11 am this Monday (15), in Caju.

According to information gathered, one of the helicopters had taken off from Jacarepaguá airport bound for Angra dos Reis, where the group would record a music video. The other had departed from Santos Dumont airport bound for Guaratiba, also in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro. The two aircraft collided in the air before reaching their destinations.

Firefighters' work and special protocol
The fact that the aircraft crashed into an electric vehicle yard required the firefighters to adopt a special firefighting protocol. As reported by Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras, electric vehicles are battery-powered and have a different type of combustion, which required extra attention from the teams to prevent the fire from spreading to houses and buildings in the region.

There is also the possibility, mentioned by Contreiras, that one of the pilots tried to maneuver the aircraft to avoid more densely populated areas.

The wreckage of the aircraft was found many meters away from the crash point, highlighting the violence of the impact. The Civil Police and Military Police were also at the scene.

Relatives of the victims arrived at the scene throughout the day, visibly dismayed. Cenipa's investigations are ongoing to determine what caused the collision between the two aircraft.

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Source: CNN