Santa Catarina Police Close Praia Grande Balloon Crash Inquiry With No Indictments

Overview

• The June 21 tourist flight in Praia Grande carried 21 people; 13 survived and eight died after an in‑flight fire early in the journey.
• Police summarized that the balloon descended and some occupants, including the pilot, jumped near the ground before the craft became lighter, rose again, and four victims died from an estimated 45‑meter fall while four perished in the basket fire.
• More than 20 interviews were conducted with survivors, witnesses, the pilot, and equipment representatives, and investigators relied on necropsy, dental identification, substance analyses, site criminalistics, and engineering reports.
• Testimonies reported that the onboard fire extinguisher failed, and the pilot said flames began at a blowtorch on the tank cover, which he threw from the basket while attempting an emergency landing.
• The inquiry, led by Delegate Rafael de Chiara and closed on October 8, ended without charges, while some families publicly rejected the outcome and said they will press prosecutors and organize for further action.