Six Killed After Two Helicopters Collide and Crash Into Car Dealership in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 14: Six people were killed after two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed into the parking lot of an electric vehicle dealership in Rio de Janeiro, triggering a major fire that engulfed at least 20 vehicles, authorities said.

Firefighters said initial reports indicated that the helicopters collided before crashing in the suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes. A statement from emergency services confirmed that all six victims were crew members aboard the two aircraft.

Rescue teams found one of the helicopters burning among parked electric vehicles, with five victims on board. A second helicopter was discovered approximately 100 meters away and was carrying only the pilot, who also died in the crash.

Rio de Janeiro Deputy Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said foreign nationals were among those on board one of the helicopters, although no further details were immediately released.

Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras, a spokesman for the fire service, said investigators were still working to determine the exact circumstances of the accident.

“Parts of the aircraft are scattered hundreds of meters away, so the information we have is still very preliminary. We need to analyze recordings and videos to understand exactly what happened,” he told local media.

Television footage and images shared by Brazilian media showed thick black smoke billowing from the dealership as multiple vehicles burned following the crash.

Contreiras said the helicopters' impact in the parking lot likely prevented a far greater tragedy, noting that the area is surrounded by residential buildings.

“Given the nearby homes, the accident could have been far more tragic,” he said.

Firefighters also faced additional challenges due to the involvement of electric vehicles. Officials explained that lithium-ion battery fires generate intense heat and highly toxic gases, requiring significantly larger amounts of water to extinguish compared to conventional vehicle fires.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the collision, while aviation experts examine debris and flight data to determine the cause of the accident.

Small aircraft accidents are relatively common in Brazil, one of the world’s largest aviation markets. According to the country’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), there have been 84 aircraft accidents recorded in 2026 prior to this latest incident, resulting in 25 fatalities.