A pilot died after an ultralight plane pulling an advertising banner crashed into the sea off Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: X/@choquei) A pilot died after an ultralight plane pulling an advertising banner crashed into the sea off Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday afternoon, local authorities said, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Rescue teams from the fire department searched the area using Jet Skis, inflatable boats, divers and air support. Officials said the pilot’s body was taken to the medical examiner’s office for identification.
Security camera footage released by the authorities “shows the plane going down nose-first into the water near the beach” at around 12:30 p.m. (1530 GMT).
ULTRALEVE
Avião de propaganda cai no mar da praia de Copacabana e assusta banhistas; caso é investigado > https://t.co/H2ogGBdYCo pic.twitter.com/xPHvJBuObi
— Estadão 🗞️ (@Estadao) December 27, 2025
The search operation also includes sonar equipment to help find any more possible victims and parts of the wreckage, officials told AP.
In a statement, the Brazilian air force said it had opened an investigation into the cause of the crash. According to AP, the aircraft was a Cessna 170A owned by an advertising company.
