> At a Glance
> – A small plane nose-dived into Brazil’s Rio Negro on Jan. 4
> – Jet skier Fernando Araújo recorded the crash and helped save both people on board
> – Pilot and passenger escaped with only minor injuries
> – Why it matters: Quick civilian action can mean the difference between life and death in remote crashes
Architect Fernando Araújo was enjoying a weekend ride on his jet ski when an aircraft overhead began making odd manoeuvres. He hit record just as the plane banked sharply, lost altitude and slammed into the water.
The Moment of Impact
Araújo tells News Of Los Angeles the plane had been practising “landing and take-off moves” above the Rio Negro, a major Amazon tributary near Manaus. Without warning, the aircraft rolled right and plunged nose-first into the river, sending up a massive spray he captured on video.
> Fernando Araújo recalls:
> “Suddenly it made a right turn as if starting a third landing, quickly lost altitude and crashed into the river.”
Rescue on the Water
Araújo and nearby riders reached the floating wreck within seconds. They pulled the pilot and passenger out before emergency crews arrived.
- Both survivors had only cuts: the pilot two deep forehead lacerations, the passenger a smaller head cut and a thigh puncture
- Civilians transferred the pair to a small boat that ferried them to a beach for first aid
- The Amazonas Military Fire Department (CBMAM) later inspected the site and reported no hazards
Key Takeaways
- Quick civilian response saved two lives after a light aircraft crashed in Brazil’s Amazon region
- Video evidence captured by a jet skier shows the exact moment of impact
- Both occupants survived with only minor injuries, according to local outlet Amazonas Atual and Araújo
Authorities have not yet released an official cause for the crash, but the footage is expected to aid the investigation.
