Police Say Philip Haegler’s Rio Paragliding Death Was an Accident, With Strong Winds a Likely Factor

Overview

• Haegler struck the façade of a residential building around the 11th floor on Avenida Prefeito/Professor Mendes de Morais in São Conrado and fell into the building’s hall after launching earlier in the day, dying after being taken to Hospital Municipal Miguel Couto.
• The 15th Police Precinct opened an inquiry and, according to delegate Daniela Terra, found no indication of crime and no evidence so far of a pre-impact collision with a hang glider.
• Forensic teams examined his gear and the scene, and preliminary checks reported no equipment issues as authorities await formal technical reports to determine contributing causes.
• The Pedra Bonita free-flight ramp was closed for three days in mourning, and friends shared tribute videos celebrating Haegler’s decades of flying and mentorship in the community.
• A funeral and cremation were held Saturday at São Francisco Xavier in Caju, as colleagues recalled the bicampeão and former CBVL president’s long advocacy for safety in a sport that ANAC notes does not require pilot licensing but recommends association-based training and equipment registration.