How safe is it to fly a helicopter in Brazil?

Feb 15, 2019 20:36 3 min read (Updated: Mar 20, 2023 7:09)

On February 11, Brazilians were shocked when news broke that journalist Ricardo Boechat —one of the country’s most-famous radio hosts—died in a helicopter crash on São Paulo’s ring road. According to the civil aviation agency, the company which owned the helicopter was not licensed to transport passengers. Sadly, Mr. Boechat’s case is hardly unique. Since 2008, Brazil has registered 58 fatal accidents involving helicopters.

We have compiled data on helicopter accidents from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Brazil’s Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (Cenipa) to map and catalog incidents registered in the country.

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