A twin‑engine Bell 430 helicopter carrying country singer Rick Sollo, influencer Bruno Avelar, videographer Paulo Soares and an unnamed fifth passenger vanished in Brazil on Monday afternoon.
The aircraft departed Porto Belo en route to São Joaquim when the pilot lost contact with air traffic control, according to G1 Globo. No pilot name has been released, and the Brazilian Air Force has not yet confirmed an accident.
Search and rescue teams were mobilised in the mountainous region of Urubici, where the helicopter was last detected. The Santa Catarina Fire Department received a call around 4 p.m. about a possible crash, and a red weather alert for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall had been issued for the area. The Air Force deployed a Black Hawk helicopter and an SC‑105 Amazonas to the rural Vacas Gordas zone, while a military fire brigade team reached the last communication point without finding evidence.
Residents were urged to report any sounds, smoke or debris, and the search continued into Tuesday despite the adverse weather. The priority, according to the Air Force, is to locate the aircraft and its occupants quickly, concentrating on the most likely areas and adjusting the plan as new information emerges. The Independent has requested a comment from the Brazilian Air Force.
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