A fatal plane crash occurred on February 10, 2025, claiming the life of entrepreneur Fredy Antônio Tanos Lopes, aged 70, and injuring the pilot, Mário Alessandro Gontijo de Melo, in the southern Brazilian state of Bahia. The incident involved a small aircraft, model MC-01, manufactured by the Brazilian company Montaer. Witnesses reported seeing the plane flying low before it crashed near Cumuruxatiba, within the municipality of Prado.
According to reports, the aircraft went down on the Fazenda Models mountain range, provoking immediate concern from residents. A local eyewitness described, "He came from over there. I was working, and I saw the plane passing low near the coconut trees." Emergency services were quickly on the scene, but Lopes, who was also owner of several laboratories, was found trapped within the wreckage and tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Gontijo, the CEO of Laboratório Gontijo, had been piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. Although he suffered serious injuries, Gontijo was evacuated by helicopter to the Hospital Luís Eduardo Magalhães in Porto Seguro. His company released a statement saying, "Our CEO suffered an aircraft accident this Monday. He is well, with stable health and receiving medical care. Nonetheless, he is deeply saddened by the loss of a great friend." Despite surviving the crash, Gontijo faces emotional and physical recovery.
The aircraft, registered under the prefix PU-DLG, was built in 2020 and was privately owned by Gontijo. Initial reports have shown there were no known issues with the plane's airworthiness prior to the crash. Investigators from the Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (Cenipa) will be conducting inquiries to determine what led to this tragic incident.
This latest crash follows closely on the heels of another two-plane incident which resulted in two fatalities just days before near São Paulo. Such proximity of devastating aviation accidents raises alarms within the region, particularly as aviation incidents surged significantly last year, leading to over 170 reported accidents and numerous fatalities.
The tragic end for Lopes – whose physical state at the time of death is described as carbonized due to fire following the crash – was particularly tough for local authorities and medical examiners. His body was later removed by agents of the volunteer emergency brigade and taken to the Instituto Médico Legal for necropsy and identification.
Gontijo’s credentials as both a businessman and former health secretary bring additional layers to this story, making the timing and circumstances surrounding the crash all the more pressing for aviation safety advocates. With hospital images of Gontijo and sparse updates on his health condition post-accident, interest continues to peak around the developments from both health and aviation perspectives.
While investigations are yet to clarify the exact causative factors of the crash, eyewitness accounts alongside Gontijo's experience as a pilot may provide key insights. The region of Bahia, with its complex terrain, has historically had its share of aviation incidents, prompting renewed debates over safety regulations and preventative measures needed for small aircraft operations.
The situation remains delicate and under careful monitoring from local authorities as they work to piece together the series of events leading to this tragic accident. The inquiry to explore all angles of what transpired is actively underway, and many are hopeful for clear conclusions to prevent future tragedies.