The Grupo Bandeirantes journalism helicopter made a forced landing this Monday afternoon (29), in the city of Guarulhos, metropolitan region of São Paulo. The incident occurred around 5:52 p.m., after the plane experienced a technical failure while flying over the region for the broadcast of the Brasil Urgente program.
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The pilot managed to carry out the emergency maneuver in the courtyard of a transport company located at Avenida Educador Paulo Freire, 260, in the Ponte Grande neighborhood. According to information from the firefighters, the helicopter hit a trailer during the descent, but the technical expertise will further detail the dynamics of the impact. Both crew members were slightly injured.
The incident mobilized four fire trucks and the military police’s Águia helicopter. The pilot of the plane, identified as Commander Wal, was rescued by a rescue unit and transported to São Luís Hospital, in Guarulhos, suffering from back and head pain. The crew member and cameraman, known as Júnior Bailarino, suffered a blunt injury to his forehead and was transported by the military police’s Águia 12 helicopter directly to Samaritano Hospital.
During the live edition of Brasil Urgente, presenter Joel Datena interrupted the program to reassure the audience and confirm that he had already spoken to the team.
“I received very bad news, our helicopter made a forced landing. My first concern was how Junior Bailarino and Commander Wal were doing. They are fine, they are safe,” said the presenter, emphasizing that the pilot acted quickly as soon as he detected the mechanical problem.
In a statement, Band said that the plane “suffered a breakdown this Monday (29) while flying over the Parque Novo Mundo area, between the Presidente Dutra and Fernão Dias highways, north of São Paulo” and that “the plane is up to date with maintenance and certifications.”
“Band regrets the incident and provides all its support to the professionals. (…) Around 5:30 p.m., the pilot, accompanied by the cameraman, noticed the loss of engine power and made a forced landing in a safe place, in the parking lot of a transport company,” the company said.
“Firefighters were immediately called and moved a rescue unit and two other vehicles to the scene. Both occupants are doing well and remain under observation and receiving medical care. The aircraft is up to date in terms of maintenance and certifications,” he added.
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