What happened
On December 31, 2018, a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration PR-MPS, departed from the shore of Lake Corumbá in Caldas Novas, Goiás, bound for Trindade. The aircraft was operating a private flight carrying a pilot and one passenger.
Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter struck the surface of the water and sank to a depth of approximately 18 meters, coming to rest about 300 meters from the shoreline. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger remained uninjured. Both occupants were rescued by an off-duty firefighter from the Goiás Military Fire Brigade, and the aircraft was subsequently recovered from the lake by the same agency.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by SERIPA VI, established that the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for visual flight. However, the investigation uncovered significant regulatory non-compliance regarding both the crew and the aircraft.
Investigators determined that the pilot was operating the aircraft without a valid Helicopter Pilot License and did not possess a valid Aeronautical Medical Certificate (CMA). Furthermore, the aircraft's airworthiness was compromised by several expired documents and maintenance lapses.