What began as a routine takeoff turned into a nightmare in seconds when a small passenger plane erupted into flames after crashing into several buildings near an airport in São Paulo, Brazil. Authorities confirmed that at least seven people have died, including passengers and residents on the ground, in one of the most devastating aviation accidents the region has seen in years.
Video footage captured by witnesses shows the aircraft lifting off the runway before abruptly tilting sideways and plunging into a row of nearby houses, exploding on impact. Thick black smoke and flames tore through the residential block, as terrified locals ran into the streets screaming for help. “It was like a bomb went off,” one witness told CNN. “We heard the engine sputtering, then silence — and then a massive fireball.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes, battling fires that engulfed multiple homes. Firefighters were seen pulling survivors from the wreckage, while paramedics administered CPR to victims lying on the street. “It was chaos,” said firefighter Carlos Mendes. “The flames were so intense we couldn’t even get close for several minutes.”
BREAKING: Plane crashes during takeoff in Brazil, hits multiple buildings — at least 7 confirmed dead. @Reuters
The aircraft, identified as a twin-engine turboprop, had been en route to Rio de Janeiro when it reportedly lost power seconds after leaving the runway. Investigators told AP News that the pilot radioed a distress call moments before the crash, saying the plane was “not gaining altitude.” Moments later, communication was lost.
Authorities confirmed that the victims include all four people onboard — the pilot, co-pilot, and two passengers — along with at least three residents of the neighborhood where the crash occurred. Several others remain hospitalized in critical condition, including a young boy who suffered severe burns after debris struck his home.
“The plane came down right over our roof,” one survivor told The Guardian. “We barely made it out. I ran with my children through the smoke. I could feel the heat on my back.”
Images shared online show the wreckage scattered across a narrow street lined with charred cars and collapsed walls. One viral video, viewed over 20 million times on X, shows the exact moment the aircraft clips a power line before hitting the ground — sending sparks flying as terrified bystanders scream in disbelief.
WATCH: Video shows small plane clipping power lines and exploding into buildings seconds after takeoff. @BBCWorld
The city’s mayor, Ricardo Nunes, called the incident “a tragedy beyond words” and announced an emergency response team to assist displaced families. “Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones,” he said during a televised briefing. “We are investigating every possible cause, from mechanical failure to maintenance issues.”
Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft may have suffered a catastrophic engine failure. Aviation experts told NPR that the video evidence indicates a stall shortly after takeoff — a situation where the plane loses lift due to low airspeed, often caused by mechanical malfunction or improper weight distribution.
“The tilt we see before impact is consistent with loss of thrust on one side,” explained flight instructor David Cummings. “At such a low altitude, there’s no time to recover. It’s every pilot’s worst nightmare.”
Witnesses described scenes of horror as rescue teams pulled bodies from the flaming debris. “There were people screaming for help from inside the houses,” said one resident to The Telegraph. “The heat was unbearable. We heard explosions for nearly an hour after the crash.”
Photos released by Reuters show charred remains of the plane’s fuselage wedged between collapsed walls and shattered roofs. Firefighters continued to douse smoldering debris for hours as investigators combed through the wreckage for clues.
Photos show devastation after plane crashes into neighborhood in São Paulo, killing at least seven. @guardian
The Brazilian Air Force has since confirmed it will lead an official inquiry into the crash, working alongside local police and the Civil Aviation Authority. Experts are expected to analyze flight data recorders recovered from the site to determine what went wrong. “We’re looking at all possibilities — fuel contamination, engine failure, human error,” a spokesperson said.
Eyewitnesses say the crash could have been even worse if the aircraft had hit the nearby school. “It came down just meters away from a playground,” one man told ITV News. “It was a miracle the children weren’t outside.”
The tragedy has reignited debate over safety regulations for small aircraft in Brazil, where several fatal crashes have occurred near residential zones in recent years. Aviation analyst Maria Esteves said the incident “exposes a larger issue of oversight.” “Many of these smaller planes are privately owned and operated without the rigorous safety checks required for commercial airlines,” she noted. “It’s a ticking time bomb.”
As investigators continue their work, locals have set up makeshift memorials along the street — candles, flowers, and handwritten notes placed beside blackened rubble. “We heard their screams,” read one message. “Now we pray they rest in peace.”
“We heard the explosion, then the screams. No one should have to see that.” — Eyewitness in São Paulo @AP
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a statement offering condolences to the victims’ families and promising full transparency during the investigation. “This tragedy will not be forgotten,” he said. “We will find out what happened and ensure it never happens again.”
By nightfall, the flames had been extinguished — but the smell of smoke still hung heavy over the neighborhood. Residents gathered quietly under flickering streetlights, some crying, others simply staring at the scorched shells of their homes. One man, holding a candle near the wreckage, whispered, “It could have been any of us.”
For many in the city, the haunting footage will be impossible to forget — a chilling reminder of how quickly life can change in a single, terrifying moment.
