Brazil prosecutor charges balloon pilot in fatal Praia Grande crash

The Public Ministry of Santa Catarina (MPSC) has filed criminal charges against a pilot and company partner following a hot air balloon crash in Praia Grande in June 2025. The accident resulted in eight deaths and three injuries.

Prosecutor Ricardo Figueiredo Coelho Leal charged the pilot with involuntary manslaughter and involuntary bodily injury, citing negligence and imprudence. The prosecution alleges the crash was caused by a series of operational failures, including the use of inadequate equipment, specifically a model 5IT torch that lacked a safety lock.

The MPSC moved forward with the charges after previously requesting supplementary forensic investigations to clarify the circumstances of the accident. In addition to criminal accountability, the prosecutor is seeking moral damages for the 12 survivors and the heirs of the eight deceased victims.