What happened
On October 8, 1994, at approximately 12:40 PM, a Helibrás HB-350B helicopter, registration PT-HNW, crashed near Itu, São Paulo. The aircraft had departed from Campo de Marte with seven people on board, including the pilot and six passengers. Although the flight notification indicated a destination of the Málaga helipad, the actual intent was to fly to a ranch in Salto.
During the flight, the pilot performed several maneuvers, including a sudden descent that startled the occupants. As the aircraft approached the accident site near the Dom Gabriel Paulino Coutob highway, the pilot attempted to demonstrate the helicopter's performance by flying at a very low altitude and following the winding road. While executing a steep turn at high speed (estimated between 100 and 110 knots), the main rotor blades struck an embankment. The impact caused a loss of control, leading the aircraft to strike a tree approximately 100 meters further along the path. The aircraft was destroyed.
Tragically, the pilot and two passengers died in the accident, while the remaining four passengers sustained serious injuries. One child passenger was particularly vulnerable as they were traveling without a seatbelt.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the aircraft was mechanically sound, with the engine producing high power at the time of impact. The investigation focused on the pilot's operational decisions and psychological state. It was found that the pilot had exceeded the maximum passenger capacity and had not notified his employer of the flight. Furthermore, the pilot provided an incorrect flight plan to conceal his true destination.
Investigators also noted that the pilot had a history of performing risky, low-altitude maneuvers and had previously been warned by peers to avoid steep turns at low altitudes. The investigation highlighted a lack of professional maturity and an exhibitionist attitude as central elements in the sequence of events.