Fatal private aircraft crash in southern Brazil claims pilot and family members

A private aircraft crash in Gramado, a city located in southern Brazil, resulted in the deaths of ten family members. Brazilian entrepreneur Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, the pilot of the plane, perished in the accident along with his wife, three daughters, and additional relatives, according to a statement released by his company. Reports indicate that the small aircraft struck the chimney of a structure, in addition to a residence and a retail establishment, during its descent. Local officials reported that 17 individuals on the ground sustained injuries in the incident, with two of them being in serious condition. Brazilian media reports stated that Mr. Galeazzi, aged 61, was transporting his family on an excursion to Jundiaí, situated in the São Paulo state. Rio Grande do Sul state governor Eduardo Leite confirmed at a press conference that all 10 fatalities from the crash were members of Mr. Galeazzi’s family. He further noted that the plane had departed under adverse weather circumstances. The aircraft is reported to have traveled 3km (1.8 miles) before crashing into the city’s urban zone mere minutes after its Sunday morning take-off. Nadia Hansen, an eyewitness, informed Reuters news agency, “At the time, it was revving up. You could see that it was accelerating a lot.” She continued, “Then there was a bang as it hit the building and then it passed close to my house and then it fell, and I thought it had dropped in front of the house.” Images from the site depict emergency personnel addressing the smoking remnants amidst fragments from severely damaged structures. Mr. Galeazzi held the position of chief executive at Galeazzi & Associados, a company specializing in corporate restructuring and crisis management, headquartered in São Paulo. The firm released a statement via LinkedIn, honoring the 61-year-old. The statement read, “Luiz Galeazzi will be eternally remembered for his dedication to his family and for his remarkable career as the leader of Galeazzi & Associados.” It further stated, “We also sympathize with all those affected by the accident in the region,” and indicated its intention to collaborate with inquiries into the incident. Brazilian media sources reported that the plane impacted a residence, a furniture retail outlet, and a hotel, near the central area of Gramado. Governor Mr. Leite stated that the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (Cenipa) was examining the accident’s cause. He informed reporters at the location, “The entire state is mobilized here to provide the necessary assistance.” Gramado is a well-known tourist spot, recognized for hosting events during holiday seasons. In May of this year, the area experienced severe, unprecedented flooding, which resulted in dozens of fatalities and the displacement of approximately 150,000 residents from their dwellings. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.