Two Dead After Small Plane Crashes Into Bus on Busy São Paulo Street

São Paulo, Brazil – A small aircraft crashed onto a busy street in São Paulo on Friday morning, colliding with a bus and bursting into flames. The incident resulted in the deaths of two people, both onboard the plane, and left several others injured.

The aircraft, identified as a Beech F90 King Air, took off from Campo de Marte Airport around 7:15 a.m. local time, en route to Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. However, shortly after takeoff, the plane lost contact with air traffic control.

At approximately 7:30 a.m., the aircraft attempted an emergency landing on Marquês de São Vicente Avenue in the Barra Funda neighborhood, a heavily trafficked area near downtown São Paulo. The plane skidded across the avenue, struck a bus, and erupted into flames.

Authorities confirmed that the two fatalities were the pilot, Gustavo Medeiros, and the aircraft owner, Márcio Carpena. Their bodies were recovered from the wreckage.

At least six people on the ground sustained injuries, including a woman on the bus and a motorcyclist who was struck by debris. They were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Witnesses described the terrifying moment of impact.

“The plane came down suddenly and everything just exploded into flames,” one bystander said. “There was a huge fireball, and people started running in all directions.”

Another eyewitness recounted, “The bus was hit and shook violently. It was a miracle more people weren’t killed.”

Emergency responders, including firefighters and police, rushed to the scene and quickly extinguished the flames. The Brazilian Air Force has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials are examining possible factors such as engine failure or pilot error.

Brazil has seen several aviation incidents in recent years. In August 2024, a passenger plane crashed near São Paulo, killing 72 people. Authorities continue to stress the need for stricter aviation safety measures.

Officials have urged the public to avoid the crash site as investigations continue. Further updates are expected in the coming days.