A tragic plane crash unfolded on the morning of December 22, 2023, when a small aircraft plummeted shortly after taking off from the Canela Airport, destined for Jundiaí, São Paulo. The crash, which occurred at approximately 9:15 AM, resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, all members of the same family, and left at least 17 others injured, some critically.
The pilot, 61-year-old Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, owned the aircraft and was traveling with his wife, three daughters, sister, brother-in-law, mother-in-law, and two young relatives. Tragically, all aboard perished when the plane crashed on the busy Avenida das Hortênsias, one of Gramado's main thoroughfares, colliding with residential buildings, a furniture store, and even impacting the chimney of one structure.
Eyewitness accounts have painted a harrowing picture of the event. Marco Aurélio Mendonça, who was staying nearby with his family, described the chaos following the crash. "We heard a tremendous noise, and then the ceiling collapsed on us. My wife sustained minor injuries, but it was sheer panic. People fled the hotel with burn injuries. It was like something out of a horror film," he recounted.
The condition of the weather at the time of the flight was described as challenging, with rain and fog shrouding the area. Investigators from the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) are on the scene, working alongside local police and fire departments to assess and manage the aftermath of the accident. Emergency responders succeeded in extinguishing fires resulting from the crash, which complicated rescue operations.
Governor Eduardo Leite expressed his condolences and lamented the incident, noting the family's ties to São Paulo and their visit to enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere of the region. He remarked, "The victims were from São Paulo, seeking to enjoy the beauty of the Serra Gaúcha. During this Christmas season, their families will feel this immense pain." The governor announced the cancellation of the traditional Christmas festivities, known as Natal Luz, as the city and region grapple with this tragic loss.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the victims through hotel records and surveillance footage showing the family boarding the ill-fated plane. Besides Galeazzi, who was also the CEO of Galeazzi & Associates, other deceased family members include his wife, three children, sister, brother-in-law—Bruno Cardozo Munhoz Guimarães, who was also involved in Galeazzi's business—and two young nephews.
The Galeazzi family has been significantly impacted by aviation accidents before; Luiz lost his mother, Maria Leonor Salgueiro Galeazzi, to a plane crash back in 2010, which has brought added emotional weight to this recent tragedy.
At the crash site, debris scattered across the area raises questions about safety measures and aviation regulations. The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) reported the aircraft had been inspected and deemed operational prior to the flight. Investigative efforts will now focus on determining the circumstances leading to the plane's loss of stability so shortly after takeoff.
Communications from the federal government have echoed those of the state, with President Luiz do Brasil expressing his condolences via social media. He offered government support to state authorities involved in the investigation, stating, "I extend my solidarity to the families of the victims of the plane crash. I wish for the injured to recover swiftly, and I trust the investigation will clarify the event’s causes as soon as possible."
Adding to the community's sorrow, the region had only recently begun to recover from devastating floods earlier this year, which had severely impacted the local tourism economy. The festive season, traditionally a period for attracting visitors, now serves as a backdrop for mourning and disbelief.
Investigators will face many challenges as they look to parse through the wreckage and gather the details leading to this unfortunate incident. What is tragically clear is the deep loss felt by the community of Gramado and those impacted by the Galeazzi family's untimely demise. The crash serves as a painful reminder of the inherent risks associated with aviation, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
While the investigation continues, residents and officials alike are left to navigate their heartbreak and begin the long process of healing from this unprecedented tragedy.
