Pilot survives aircraft fire in Brazil using emergency parachute

A 29-year-old pilot survived an in-flight emergency in Brazil on August 25, 2026, after his Cirrus SR22 caught fire and experienced a partial explosion. The aircraft, traveling from Belo Horizonte to Bom Despacho, was forced to deploy its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) to descend safely.

Witnesses captured video of the aircraft descending beneath the parachute while trailing thick smoke. Upon reaching a wooded area near Serra Azul, the plane was consumed by fire. The pilot, who remained inside the cabin during the descent, was able to escape the wreckage with minor injuries with the help of bystanders. He was treated for smoke inhalation and minor wounds at a hospital in Belo Horizonte.

The Brazilian Air Force has launched an investigation to determine the technical cause of the engine failure and subsequent fire.