A small Cessna 182 aircraft crashed on April 16 in Oriximiná, Pará, due to a mechanical failure, according to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The pilot, who had extensive experience flying in the Amazon region, reported engine trouble before losing contact. After six days of intense search efforts involving FAB aircraft and indigenous communities, the wreckage and the pilot’s body were found in a dense forest area near the border with Guyana.
The investigation is being conducted by the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa), which emphasized that the probe aims to identify contributing factors rather than assign blame. The final report, which will provide official conclusions, is still pending. Meanwhile, the case has been handed over to the Federal Police, as the crash occurred in an area under federal jurisdiction.
Local indigenous communities played a crucial role in locating the wreckage, collaborating with ground search teams composed of civil firefighters and the pilot’s family. The search operation covered over 657 square nautical miles and involved more than 35 hours of aerial missions. The incident underscores the challenges of aviation in remote Amazon regions and the importance of community involvement in rescue efforts.
