Robinson R44 crash near Sao Sebastiao, Brazil

On August 30, 2011, about 1158 Universal Coordinated time (UTC), a Robinson R44 II, Brazilian registration PP-CLE, registered to Old Ducan S.A., and operated by Seisa Clerman EMP. Imobiliarios LTDA, crashed near Sao Sebastiao Municipality, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the flight from Campo dos Amarais Airport (SDAM), Campinas, Brazil, to Angra dos Reis, State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the certificated private pilot and two passengers were killed. The flight originated about 1100 UTC, from SDAM. According to information from the Brazilian Government approximately 58 minutes into the flight, the aircraft disappeared from radar. A search and rescue team was summoned on the same day; however, because of adverse weather during the search and rescue, the wreckage was not located until September 1, 2011, at an elevation of 1,187 feet. Witnesses near the crash site reported strong winds at the time of the accident. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Brazil. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention And Investigation Center (CENIPA) Information Technology Division SHIS-QI 05-VI Comar Brasilia-DF, Brazil, 71.615.600 Phone: 55 61 3364 8819 Facsimile: 55 61 3365 1004 E-mail: dti@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes only, and contains information released by or obtained for the Government of Brazil.