Six people were killed on Monday evening, January 29, 2024, after two helicopters collided mid-air over Maricá, a coastal city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The incident involved an aircraft belonging to the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro (PMERJ) and a private helicopter. All six occupants across both aircraft were confirmed deceased at the scene.

The collision occurred above Lake Jaconé, a body of water in Maricá. Following the impact, both helicopters fragmented and crashed into the lake. Emergency services, including fire department units and military police, were quickly dispatched to the site to conduct recovery operations and secure the area. The wreckage was widely dispersed, complicating initial efforts.

Among the deceased were three military police officers from the Special Air Group (GRAe) of the PMERJ: Major Rogério Faria, Captain Fábio de Paula, and Sergeant Felipe Marques. The identities of the three civilians on board the private helicopter were not immediately released, pending family notification. Governor Cláudio Castro of Rio de Janeiro expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, extending condolences to the families of the victims and assuring full support for the ongoing investigations.

The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA), a body of the Brazilian Air Force responsible for investigating civil and military aviation incidents, has launched an inquiry into the crash. Concurrently, the Military Police's Internal Affairs Department (Corregedoria da PM) has also opened an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the involvement of the PMERJ aircraft. These investigations will analyze flight data recorders, air traffic control communications, witness accounts, and wreckage analysis to ascertain the precise cause of the collision.

Local reports and circulating footage indicated the immediate aftermath of the crash, showing smoke and debris in the air before parts of the aircraft fell into the lake. The PMERJ helicopter, known as Águia 27, was reportedly engaged in a training exercise at the time of the incident. The specific flight plan and purpose of the private helicopter remain part of the ongoing inquiry.

Authorities have emphasized that the investigation process is complex and will require time to reach definitive conclusions regarding the factors that led to the mid-air collision. Preliminary findings are not expected for several weeks or months. Both CENIPA and the Military Police have pledged to conduct thorough and transparent investigations to provide clarity and prevent future such incidents.