Florianópolis, Brazil—A private helicopter crashed into a dense mountainous ridge in the Santa Catarina interior on Wednesday, killing all five people on board. State civil defense units confirmed that rescue squads located the charred wreckage in a remote ravine near Urubici. Low-hanging clouds and persistent fog hampered aerial spotting teams for hours before ground patrols located the impact site.
Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft departed from a municipal airfield in southern Brazil shortly before noon. Air traffic control lost radar contact as the helicopter approached the high-altitude plateau region. Local residents living near the valley floor reported hearing a sudden engine sputter followed by a heavy impact sound.
Military firefighters deployed specialized mountain rescue teams equipped with rappelling gear to descend into the steep gorge. Search units confirmed no survivors remained inside the destroyed cabin. Forensic specialists arrived at the scene late afternoon to begin documenting the wreckage distribution across the slope.
"The terrain is extremely vertical and covered in dense vegetation, making foot access difficult for our primary extraction units," said Captain Lucas Ribeiro of the Santa Catarina Military Fire Department. "Our teams are cutting paths through the brush to secure the perimeter."
Aeronautical accident investigators from the Brazilian Air Force arrived at the regional base to initiate a formal inquiry. Initial meteorological reports noted severe fog banks moving rapidly across the highland valleys during the flight window. Investigators will review maintenance records and onboard communication logs to determine contributing factors.
Family members gathered at a local municipal facility awaiting official identification updates from forensic pathologists. Regional civil authorities declared a period of mourning for the victims, whose identities were withheld pending complete family notifications.
Search and rescue units remain stationed at the base of the mountain ridge to complete the removal of the victims.
Forensic teams continue mapping the scattered debris field before transport helicopters lift the wreckage sections out of the canyon.
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