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Illegal Hot Air Balloon Flight Crashes in São Paulo, Killing One and Injuring 11

Pilot Fabio Salvador Pereira has been arrested on aggravated manslaughter plus illegal ballooning charges pending a full investigation into the crash.

Overview

  • The ride took off from Capela do Alto with 33 passengers, exceeding its 24-person limit and lacking commercial authorization.
  • Investigators are probing gusty conditions, overloaded capacity and irregular documentation as potential crash contributors.
  • Juliana Alves Prado Pereira, 27, was ejected and later died in hospital; authorities have ordered a pregnancy test following reports she may have been expecting.
  • The operator had been previously shut down and the flight was neither sanctioned by the national confederation nor linked to the championship.
  • At least three couples had proposals onboard before the balloon plunged, turning celebratory moments into tragedy.