The aircraft suddenly plunged nose-first into the river, leaving onlookers in shock.

A witness captured a horrifying moment when an aircraft plunged straight into a river and shattered into multiple pieces, leaving the pilot and a passenger injured. The incident occurred on Sunday (January 4) on the Rio Negro, near Paricatuba village in Brazil, in front of stunned witnesses at the scene.

Video of the incident

The victims suffered injuries across their bodies following the extremely violent impact. Fernando Araújo, an architect and an eyewitness, said that while riding a jet ski he noticed the aircraft flying at an alarmingly low altitude, skimming close to the water’s surface. According to his account, the plane made two water-touch landings before the crash occurred. After the second contact, the aircraft continued flying low as if preparing for a third landing attempt, but suddenly plunged nose-first into the river.

Araújo was the first to reach the crash site immediately after the impact. He discovered two men on board; the pilot appeared to be in a state of psychological shock, while the younger crew member continuously cried out for help. Local residents quickly rushed in to assist, helping pull both victims from the water.

Brazil: Plane plunges into river, shatters into multiple pieces – Photo 1

The Amazonas Military Fire Department deployed a fire truck, a rescue unit, and five firefighters to the scene. Both the pilot and the passenger received first aid on site for multiple injuries. Authorities stated that after inspection, the area was secured and posed no further immediate danger. The official identities of the victims have not yet been released.

This incident occurred just days after another aviation tragedy in Brazil that claimed the life of a pilot. In that earlier case, an aircraft towing an advertising banner over the famous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro malfunctioned and crashed in front of thousands of sunbathers. Tragically, it was the pilot’s first day on the job, and he had just celebrated his 40th birthday on December 23.