Small aircraft crashes into building in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

On May 4, 2026, a single-engine Embraer EMB-721C aircraft crashed into a residential building in the Silveira district of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The plane had departed from Pampulha Airport shortly before the pilot reported a mechanical failure to air traffic control. There were five people on board at the time of the incident. Initial reports indicate at least two fatalities and three injuries among those on board. Local authorities and CNN Brazil are investigating the possibility of additional victims at the crash site. The aircraft struck a three-story building and came to rest in the parking area, causing significant structural damage to the facade. Eyewitness accounts suggest the pilot may have attempted to avoid a nearby school before impacting the apartment complex. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue operations and secure the area.