A tragic plane crash occurred on December 22, 2024, near Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, claiming the lives of ten people on board, all members of the Galeazzi family. The incident has prompted investigations and raised concerns about aviation safety amid challenging weather conditions.
The doomed flight, piloted by businessman Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, took off from the local airport at Canela shortly after 9:12 AM, headed for Jundiaí, São Paulo. Just minutes later, the aircraft—a Piper PA-42 Cheyenne—collided with the chimney of one building, struck the second floor of a home, and eventually crashed onto a furniture store before igniting flames through the area. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, managing to control the fire and assist nearby injured individuals. Seventeen people on the ground sustained injuries, mostly due to smoke inhalation. For some, medical treatment continues, with two reported to be in grave condition due to severe burns.
The ten deceased were identified as Luiz Galeazzi, aged 61, along with his wife, three daughters, mother-in-law, sister, brother-in-law, and two young relatives. The close-knit family had traveled to Gramado to enjoy some quality time together during the festive season. Governor Eduardo Leite expressed his condolences, stating, "[I want] to express my solidarity with the family, it is immense pain affecting certainly the family of these victims, but also shaking all of us here from the state and the Serra Gaúcha."
Galeazzi was the owner of the ill-fated aircraft and was recognized as the CEO of Galeazzi & Associados, which specializes in crisis management and business restructuring. A graduate from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, he was well-respected within his field. Tragically, Galeazzi was not new to aviation accidents - his mother perished in another crash years ago.
The aircraft, registered PR-NDN, was reportedly maintained under normal conditions according to the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil. Governor Leite mentioned concerning weather conditions at the time of the flight, stating, "The aircraft took off under conditions which were not the best," hinting at the potential influence of environmental factors contributing to the accident.
Immediately after the crash, investigative teams from the Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (Cenipa) and the local police began working closely to determine the precise cause of the catastrophe. Colonel Mauricio Ferro, commander of the local fire department, stated, "After the police clearance, the bodies will undergo DNA analysis to confirm identification and rule out any other victims from the store or the inn."
Meanwhile, the municipality of Gramado has canceled its traditional Christmas parade scheduled for the same day, illustrating the somber atmosphere cast by this unforeseen tragedy. Residents and local officials mourn the loss, with the community grappling with the impact of the accident on families and individuals deeply affected by the incident.
This crash serves as yet another reminder of the vulnerabilities present within private aviation and the imperative for continued scrutiny and improvement of aviation standards to safeguard future flights. Investigators have underscored their commitment to determining both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash, which they hope to address through the findings of their analysis moving forward.
This solemn event marks not just the end for many families but the beginning of investigations and discussions surrounding safety measures to prevent such heart-wrenching events from occurring again.
