Robinson R44 Ii crash near Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A Robinson R44 Raven II (PS-GJS) crashed into a forest near Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, shortly after departing from a local aeroclub where it had stopped to refuel. All three on board were killed: Fire Department Captain Lucas Silva Souza who was piloting, Brazilian Air Force Major Sergio Nunes Miranda, and flight instructor Diego Dantas Lima Morais. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter fall into the forest shortly after takeoff. CENIPA, Brazil's air accident investigation center, was activated. The mix of operational and training expertise among the victims raised questions about what could have failed on a short local flight. The aircraft was formerly registered as PR-JNY and had previously been repaired after an earlier incident.