On 22 December 2024, a Piper PA-42 Cheyenne crashed in the tourist city of Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and 17 injuries. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff when the aircraft collided with multiple structures in the resort town, causing significant damage and leading to fires that damaged several buildings.
 A CCTV still of PR-NDN shortly before takeoff | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 22 December 2024 |
| Summary | Crashed shortly after takeoff; under investigation |
| Site | Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil |
| Total fatalities | 10 |
| Total injuries | 17 |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Piper PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400LS |
| Operator | Private owner |
| Registration | PR-NDN |
| Flight origin | Canela Airport, Gramado, Brazil |
| Destination | Jundiaí Airport, Jundiaí, Brazil |
| Occupants | 10 |
| Passengers | 9 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 10 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Ground casualties | |
| Ground injuries | 17 |
Accident
The accident occurred shortly after takeoff from Canela Airport between 9 and 10 a.m., with the aircraft traveling only approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) before the accident.[1][2] During takeoff, the aircraft flew into challenging weather conditions, with forecasts of overcast skies and fog in the area.[1][3][4]
The aircraft reportedly struck a building's chimney in the mountainous resort town of Gramado in Rio Grande do Sul, followed by impacts with the second floor of a residential structure and a furniture store before colliding with a mobile phone store.[5] Debris from the plane also struck a nearby inn. The accident sparked fires that contributed to many of the reported injuries including two critically injured women, primarily from smoke inhalation.[1][3][4]
Local authorities, including the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul and Public Security Department, coordinated the emergency response.[3]
Casualties
The plane was piloted by businessman and CEO of the Galeazzi & Associados business recovery firm Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, and was carrying nine members of his family. All of the occupants of the plane were killed in the accident.[1][6]
At least 17 people on the ground were reportedly injured with the majority reporting smoke inhalation, but two women were transported to the state capital Porto Alegre for burns.[7]
Investigation
The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) opened an investigation into the disaster.[8]
Response
Galeazzi & Associados, the company founded by the pilot, issued a statement on LinkedIn expressing gratitude for support received following the accident, and extended sympathy to those affected by the accident in the region.[5]
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the victims on social media and stated that the crash would be investigated by the Brazilian Air Force with the support of the federal government.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d "Avião que levava empresário e nove familiares cai em Gramado; todos morreram" [Plane carrying businessman and nine family members crashes in Gramado; everyone died]. G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ Cohen, Rebecca; Noriega, Tangni (22 December 2024). "10 dead after small plane crashes in Brazil". NBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Rios, Michael; Mendonca, Duarte (22 December 2024). "Small plane crashes into Brazilian tourist city, killing at least 10". CNN. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Brazil: Small plane crashes into shops in Gramado". Deutsche Welle. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ a b "At least 10 are killed as a small plane crashes into a Brazilian town popular with tourists". Associated Press. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ Blackburn, Gavin. "All 10 passengers killed after small plane crashes into house in southern Brazil". Euronews. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b Ionova, Ana (22 December 2024). "Small Plane Crashes Into Buildings in Brazilian City, Killing 10". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Aikman, Ian; Cursino, Malu (23 December 2024). "Private plane crash in Brazil kills pilot and his family". BBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2024.