# Investigation continues into fatal Santa Catarina helicopter > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/santa-catarina-helicopter-crash > Updated: 2026-09-29T22:36:18.000Z. Sources: 323. Developments: 5. A Bell 430 helicopter, owned by JTA Empreendimentos e Urbanismo, crashed in the mountainous Santa Catarina region of Brazil, killing all five people on board. The victims have been identified as Brazilian country singer Rick Sollo (Geraldo Antônio de Carvalho) of the duo Rick & Renner, businessman Bruno Avelar de Souza, videomaker Paulo Soares, and crew members Antônio Roberto Nóbrega de Araújo and Leopoldo Barros Teixeira. The aircraft disappeared while traveling from Porto Belo toward São Joaquim. Search and rescue operations, including the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), located the wreckage in a dense forest area near Urubici. Authorities noted that a message sent by the pilot was instrumental in locating the wreckage. The FAB reported the aircraft lost contact at 11:34 am on a Monday, with the impact estimated to have occurred at 11:35 am, approximately eleven minutes after its scheduled landing time. The Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (Cenipa) has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which has been sent to the Flight Recorder Data Reading and Analysis Laboratory (LABDATA) in Brasília for transcription. Preliminary findings indicate no signs of an explosion at the crash site. Investigators are examining adverse weather conditions, including high winds and storms, as potential contributing factors, noting the region was under a red alert at the time. A private funeral for Rick Sollo was held in Sorocaba, São Paulo, on September 24. During the services, singer Marrone noted he had attempted to call Sollo shortly after learning of the disappearance. Sollo’s brother, Francisco Carvalho, also spoke, highlighting the singer’s musical legacy. Additionally, singer Zezé Di Camargo faced social media criticism after making political remarks during a tribute to Sollo, stating his hope that Brazil would be ‘totally on the right side.’ ## Claims - The last signal from the helicopter was recorded at 11:34 am. (disputed by 3 sources) - The helicopter crash is estimated to have occurred at 11:35 am. (disputed by 3 sources) - Cenipa recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Bell 430 helicopter. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The CVR will be sent to the Flight Recorder Data Reading and Analysis Laboratory (LABDATA) in Brasília for analysis. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The first phase of the investigation in Urubici, Santa Catarina, has been completed. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The investigation will move into a phase analyzing flight activities, operational environment, and human factors. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Five people, including singer Rick, died in the helicopter crash. (corroborated by 20 sources) - A beeping sound was heard from the wreckage at intervals of five to ten minutes. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Four bottles of wine were found intact among the helicopter wreckage. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The source of the beeping sound has not been confirmed by authorities. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The victims were identified as Rick Sollo, Bruno Avelar, Paulo Soares, Antônio Roberto Nóbrega de Araújo, and Leopoldo Barros Teixeira. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-29: Brazilian Air Force clarifies airspace details in fatal helicopter crash Authorities clarify that the helicopter crash in Urubici, which killed singer Rick and four others, occurred in uncontrolled airspace. Investigations into the Bell 430 crash are ongoing. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-air-force-clarifies-airspace-details-in-fatal-helicopter-crash ### 2026-09-25: Rick Sollo dies in Santa Catarina helicopter crash Singer Rick Sollo died in a helicopter crash in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The tragedy has prompted tributes, investigations, and political controversy following remarks by singer Zezé Di Camargo. 55 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renner-mourns-death-of-musical-partner-rick ### 2026-09-24: Cenipa recovers black box from helicopter crash that killed singer Rick Cenipa has recovered the black box from the Bell 430 helicopter crash in Santa Catarina that killed singer Rick Sollo and four others. Investigations will now focus on flight data and human factors. 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cenipa-locates-black-box-from-helicopter-crash-that-killed-singer-rick ### 2026-09-23: Rick Sollo dies in Santa Catarina helicopter crash Sertanejo singer Rick Sollo died in a helicopter crash in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Five people were killed in the accident, which is currently under investigation by CENIPA and local police. 100 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-rick-and-businessman-bruno-avelar-killed-in-brazil-helicopter-crash ### 2026-09-21: Santa Catarina helicopter crash kills singer Rick Sollo and four others Five people, including Brazilian singer Rick Sollo and businessman Bruno Avelar, died when their helicopter crashed in the mountains of Santa Catarina, Brazil, amid severe weather conditions. 297 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/urubici-helicopter-disappearance-involves-singer-rick --- Cite as: Investigation continues into fatal Santa Catarina helicopter. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/santa-catarina-helicopter-crash