Helicopter Carrying Singer Rick Declared Missing in Santa Catarina

Overview

• The Bell 430 with registration PP‑MGR, reported by owner JTA to have been lent to businessman Bruno Avelar, lost communication during a flight and is officially unlocated, the company and authorities said.
• The singer Rick was confirmed by his press office to be among the occupants alongside Bruno Avelar, a videomaker and the pilot.
• Ground teams from the Corpo de Bombeiros and the Polícia Militar are searching two priority areas about 30 km apart—Vacas Gordas in Urubici and the last cellphone signal point near São Joaquim—while the FAB has deployed Black Hawk and SC-105 aircraft for the operation.
• Authorities have recorded a helicopter crash in the region but have not confirmed that the wreckage is the missing PP‑MGR or disclosed the condition of those aboard.
• Searches have been hampered by closed skies, rain and strong winds so teams plan to resume in daylight with search dogs and continued FAB support, and investigators will seek to verify any found wreckage and signal data.