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Two Helicopters Collide Over Rio de Janeiro, Six Killed

Brazilian investigators opened a formal aviation probe to examine flight recorders, video, witness accounts and passenger lists to find out what caused the crash.

Overview

  • The mid-air collision occurred over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood and sent both helicopters down onto the parking lot of an electric‑car dealer, where fires and widespread wreckage followed.
  • Local authorities and the military fire service confirmed six deaths, saying all victims were occupants of the two aircraft and there were no reported ground fatalities.
  • Police say Oliver Tree’s name appeared on a passenger list and he is likely among the dead, but formal identification of the victims had not been completed at the time of reporting.
  • Reports indicate one helicopter carried five people (four passengers plus a pilot) and the other carried only its pilot, and named passengers include content creators and production staff.
  • Investigators plan to recover and analyze flight data recorders, video and witness statements as officials secure the site, a step that could prompt broader scrutiny of helicopter safety and tour logistics in Brazil.