The helicopter wreckage that mysteriously disappeared on New Year’s Eve was in the dense rainforest nearly two weeks later.
Robinson R44, carrying four individuals, has now been confirmed as having crashed, resulting in the tragic loss of Luciana Rodzewics, 45, Letícia Ayumi Rodzewics Sakumoto, 20, Raphael Torres, 41, and Cassiano Tete Teodoro, 44. The discovery of the wreckage occurred on a Friday morning, following an extensive search effort.
The police helicopter, tasked with the search, spotted the crash site in Paraibuna, Brazil, about 7 miles from where the pilot had to make an emergency landing during the ill-fated flight. Notably, the crash site is 62 miles from the helicopter’s departure point at Campo de Marte Airport in São Paulo and 26 miles from its intended destination, the island of Ilhabela.
The helicopter was destroyed in the crash (Picture: Jam Press)
Images from the crash site depict the devastating aftermath, with the Brazilian Air Force’s accident investigation branch working diligently to determine the cause of the tragedy. As investigators pieced together the circumstances leading to the crash, it was revealed that over 135 flight hours had been spent on the search by the time the wreckage was discovered, covering an expansive 5,000 km2 area.
Luciana Rodzewics was one of the passengers on the helicopter (Picture: Jam Press)
Saturday brought the sombre recovery of the bodies of the four victims from the wreckage, prompting the holding of three separate funerals in São Paulo on Sunday. Among the mourners was Elisângela Gritte, partner to Raphael, who shared that the helicopter trip, piloted by Cassiano, was initially planned as a New Year surprise for her. Unfortunately, prior commitments led her to spend New Year’s Eve with her grandchildren, leading to the invitation extended to Luciana and her daughter Letícia to join the journey.
Letícia Ayumi Rodzewics Sakumoto was only 20 when she died (Picture: Jam Press
Pilot Cassiano Tete Teodoro had previously been banned from flying (Picture: Jam Press)
Raphael Torres also died in the crash (Picture: Jam Press)
The unfolding details also highlighted a poignant communication during the flight, as Letícia texted her boyfriend about an emergency landing “in the middle of the bush.” Subsequently, she sent a video revealing a change in plans, with the helicopter diverting to an alternate mainland destination after abandoning the original course set for Ilhabela. The circumstances surrounding the crash add layers of sorrow to an already tragic event, leaving the community and loved ones grappling with the loss of four precious lives.
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