Robinson R22 accident near Sao Paulo, Br, May 2, 2016
On May 2, 2016 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered PRRCA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Sao Paulo. It was an instructional flight under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 2016 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Sao Paulo, Brazil · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- PRRCA · no longer on the register · serial 3176
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 5, 2016, about 1515 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R22 Beta, Brazilian registration PR-RCA, operated by AGD Aviation, was substantially damaged when it impacted wires and then terrain while maneuvering in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The local instructional flight conducted under Brazilian flight regulations departed Campo de Marte Airport (SBMT), Sao Paulo, Brazil about 1423. This investigation is under jurisdiction of the Government of Brazil. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center Investigation Division SHIS - QI 05-VI Comar Brasilia-DF, Brazil 71.615-600 Telephone: (55-61) 3364-8800 Fax: (55-61) 3365-1004 dipaa.spai@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes, and contains only information released by the Government of Brazil.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during maneuvering defining event
Flight instructor
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
- Operator: Agd Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: SBMT Sao Paulo at 2:23 pm
- Destination: SBMT Sao Paulo
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.