Robinson Helicopter R44 II accident near Sao Lourenco Da Serra, Br, December 4, 2016
On December 4, 2016 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R44 II, registered PRTUN, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Sao Lourenco Da Serra. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 4 people were killed. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
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
- December 4, 2016 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sao Lourenco Da Serra, Brazil · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 II II · all R44 IIs on the register
- Registration
- PRTUN · no longer on the register · serial 12560
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 4, 2016, about 1800 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44-II, Brazilian registration PR-TUN, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Sao Lourenco, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Brazilian flight regulations, and was on approach to the intended landing site, Recanto Beija-Flor Resort, when the accident occurred. 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 CENIPA-SERIPA IV Av. Braz Leme, nº 3258 Santana - São Paulo/ SP CEP: 02022-901 Telephone: (55-11) 2221-5636 / (55-11) 94100-3330 Fax: (55-11) 2221-5637 seripa4@seripa4.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
- Unknown or undetermined during approach defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Osasco
- Destination: São Lourenço Da
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.