A small plane with five people on board crashed into a building in Belo Horizonte, a metropolis of almost 5 million inhabitants in south-eastern Brazil. The accident occurred on Monday 4 May a few minutes after take-off from Pampulha airport.
The firefighters announced that the pilot and co-pilot of the plane died, while three passengers were rescued in serious condition and transported to hospital.
Bairro Silveira, BH – Airplane crash with small-door single-engine aircraft, which is likely to be chocked against more than 3 flights.
2 fatal victims taken by the ferragens and 3 retreats and rescues in a serious state.#bombeiros we mobilize 7 travels for supplies.#bombeirosmg #cbmmg pic.twitter.com/e0MD6f63E4— Bombeiros_MG (@Bombeiros_MG) May 4, 2026
The video of the accident
A video is circulating on social media and international media showing the aircraft losing altitude and then colliding with the building. The images are not suitable for sensitive audiences.
According to preliminary information, the pilot had problems during the climb phase immediately after leaving the ground and was no longer able to regain altitude. The aircraft then hit the three-story building, then crashing into the parking lot.