A light aircraft towing an advertising banner plunged into the sea just off Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Copacabana beach on Saturday afternoon, resulting in the death of the pilot, according to local authorities.
The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response as rescue teams rushed to the scene in one of the city’s busiest coastal areas.
The Associated Press quoted officials as saying that the pilot did not survive the crash.
His body was recovered from the water and later sent to a medical examiner’s office for formal identification.
Authorities have not released the pilot’s name, pending confirmation and notification of family members.
Emergency services were deployed within minutes of the crash.
Fire department teams were seen operating along the shoreline and offshore, using Jet Skis, inflatable boats and specialised diving units to search the area.
Aerial support was also mobilised to assist the operation from above. Additionally, rescue crews used sonar equipment to scan the seabed, both to locate parts of the wreckage and to rule out the presence of any additional victims.
The aircraft went down near a stretch of beach that is typically crowded with residents and tourists, though officials did not report any injuries on the ground or among beachgoers.
The Brazilian air force confirmed that it has launched a formal investigation to determine what caused the crash.
Investigators will examine the wreckage, flight conditions and other relevant factors as part of the inquiry.
At this stage, officials have not speculated on whether mechanical failure, weather conditions or human error may have played a role.
Authorities identified the aircraft as a Cessna 170A, a small, single-engine plane commonly used for light aviation purposes.
The plane was reportedly owned by an advertising company and was engaged in banner-towing operations at the time of the accident. Such flights are a familiar sight along Rio’s coastline, where aerial advertising is often used to attract attention over popular beaches.
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