Brazilian country singer and songwriter Rick Sollo, 59, of the duo Rick & Renner, was among five people killed when a helicopter crashed in the mountainous interior of Santa Catarina, according to reports drawing on the state fire service. Both accounts describe an extensive search hampered by rain, poor visibility and difficult terrain.¹

The reports agree that the aircraft was travelling toward São Joaquim, where Rick and businessman Bruno Avelar were expected to meet Mayor José Teodoro de Sena Amaral, known as Dorinho. The dead also included Avelar, a videographer and the aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot; one account identified the videographer as Paulo Soares, while saying authorities had not publicly confirmed the pilots’ identities.²

The Brazil Right report focuses on the progression of the rescue operation. Firefighters initially searched the Vacas Gordas area after receiving a report on Monday afternoon, but found no trace of the helicopter. Teams then moved toward a second area near São Joaquim after locating the last mobile-phone signal from one of those aboard. The two locations were about 30 kilometres apart, it said.¹

The Brazil Left account places greater emphasis on the conditions surrounding the flight. It says the helicopter lost radar contact at about 1 p.m. and that storms, hail and strong wind gusts were present along the route. Authorities regard adverse weather as a likely factor, though the cause has not been formally established.²

Both reports say the Bell 430 helicopter belonged to JTA Empreendimentos e Urbanismo and that the Fire Department, Civil Defense, Military Police and Brazilian Air Force took part in the search. The right-leaning account said the aircraft’s registration and airworthiness documentation were valid, while JTA urged caution over information not yet confirmed. The left-leaning report said investigators would now conduct the required forensic examinations.¹