What happened
On December 9, 2011, at 1630 UTC, a Robinson R44, registered as PR-KLA, crashed near Fazenda Coqueiros in Sao Bento do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The aircraft, operated by SASH Locacao de Veiculos LTDA, was performing a personal flight from Malwee Jaragua do Sul Airport (SSJS) toward a heliport (SNDY) when it impacted the terrain.
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operating under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with light rain and cloudy weather. No flight plan had been filed for the flight. Witnesses in the area reported hearing an explosion while the helicopter was flying over the region. Upon arrival at the site, responders found the helicopter destroyed. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.