On December 22, a serious small aircraft crash occurred in Gramado, a city in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, resulting in the deaths of all 10 people on board. The accident took place in the morning when the aircraft collided with buildings in the city center, ultimately causing a devastating fire and significant damage. According to an initial report from the local civil defense department, the twin-engine small aircraft took off from the town of Canela but encountered flying difficulties due to dense fog and low visibility. During the flight, the aircraft first struck the chimney of a residential building, then lost control and collided with the second floor of another house, igniting a fire. The wreckage further spread to a nearby furniture store and hotel, causing at least two injuries, with 15 others sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation treatment.
The victims included entrepreneur Luiz Cláudio Galeazzi, his wife, their three daughters, and his mother-in-law. At the time of the crash, Luiz Galeazzi was piloting the aircraft. The other victims were a couple and their two children. Preliminary investigations revealed that the aircraft was registered under Galeazzi's name, with all necessary documentation in order, and it was deemed airworthy.
The Brazilian Air Force and local aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to assess whether the cause of the crash was related to pilot error, mechanical failure, or adverse weather conditions. This incident highlights the critical aviation safety situation in Brazil. According to the latest data from the Brazilian Air Force's Aviation Accident Investigation and Prevention System (SIPAER), the number of fatalities in domestic aviation accidents in 2024 has reached the highest level in the past eight years. This year alone, 138 people have died in airplane and helicopter accidents, representing an approximately 80% increase compared to last year.