Victor Simões dies in small aircraft crash in Orlândia

Victor Simões da Silva, a prominent businessman and shareholder of the Manaus-based Grupo Simões, died following a small aircraft crash in Orlândia, São Paulo. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon at the former Tangará Airport shortly after takeoff.

Simões, who was also an experienced pilot, was traveling with José Ricardo Santana, identified as his father-in-law; both occupants perished in the crash. The aircraft, a 2011 Vans RV-7A single-engine plane, was reportedly in regular standing with the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).

Victor Simões was the son of Antonio Silva, president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Amazonas (Fieam). The Grupo Simões is a major conglomerate in Northern Brazil with interests in industrial gases, automotive dealerships, and port logistics, and historically held significant beverage distribution rights in the region.

Authorities, including the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) and the Civil Police, are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Video footage captured the aircraft performing a maneuver in the air before rapidly losing altitude and striking the ground.