A twin-engine Beechcraft 58 aircraft crashed in Marília, São Paulo, on Wednesday, killing two pilots and critically injuring a third occupant just one kilometer from the airport after approximately 36 minutes of flight. The plane came down on the football field of the Associação Atlética Banco do Brasil (AABB), a club adjacent to the Aeroporto Estadual Frank Miloye Milenkovich. Moments of despair were recorded on video by club members who witnessed the crash and its aftermath. The aircraft, operated by Grupo Ponzan Alimentos, had departed at 11:13 a.m. and reached an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) before the accident.
- A twin-engine plane fell in Marília on Wednesday, killing two people and leaving one survivor in serious condition.
- The aircraft departed at 11:13 a.m., climbed to 1,524 meters, and crashed after flying for roughly 36 minutes, one kilometer from the airport.
- The pilots Gabriel Maloni Mendes da Cruz, 24, and Henrique Guariente Filho, 47, died in the fire.
- The third occupant, Pablo Portella Ilwoski, 28, was rescued in serious condition. The Cenipa is investigating the cause.
Acabou de cair um monomotor em Marília/SP. Ao que tudo indica, estavam fazendo um teste na aeronave. Ainda não sei mais informações sobre vítimas. pic.twitter.com/OjpN2lfhMe
— mariana™ (@mariana_rtm)
Flight Path and Descent: A Brief Trajectory Ends in Tragedy
According to the FlightRadar air traffic monitoring platform, the aircraft departed from Marília airport at 11:13 a.m. It flew curved trajectories over the region and passed over the city of Campos Novos Paulista. The flight plan, as reported by concessionaire Rede Voa, anticipated the plane's return to the Marília terminal. The last recorded position showed the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 610 meters (2,000 feet) at 11:49 a.m., moments before the crash. The twin-engine then plummeted onto the AABB field, where the accident occurred. Video footage captured by club members shows the desperation immediately after the impact.
Pilots Identified: Young Commander and Experienced Co-Pilot Perish
The two deceased were identified as Gabriel Maloni Mendes da Cruz, 24, and Henrique Guariente Filho, 47. Both were pilots, but Gabriel was at the controls at the time of the accident. Their bodies were found burned. Gabriel was a native of Jales and worked as a pilot for Grupo Ponzan Alimentos. The third occupant, Pablo Portella Ilwoski, 28, also a pilot, was rescued alive by club employees before the Fire Department arrived. He was taken to the Hospital das Clínicas de Marília, where he remained hospitalized in serious condition as of the latest update. The quick actions of bystanders likely prevented further casualties.
Grupo Ponzan Mourns Loss of Pilot, Vows Cooperation
Grupo Ponzan Alimentos, the owner of the aircraft, released an official statement deeply lamenting the death of Gabriel Maloni. The company confirmed that the plane involved belongs to it and said it is providing full support to the families. The statement also expressed solidarity with the relatives of Henrique Guariente and Pablo Portella. “In this moment of immense sadness, the entire Grupo Ponzan family stands with the family, friends, and colleagues of Gabriel,” the communication reads. The company added that it is monitoring the investigation and cooperating with authorities.
Aircraft Status and Official Probe: Cenipa Investigates Crash
The accident aircraft is a Beechcraft 58 twin-engine model built in 1985, with registration PT-MDB. According to official records, its airworthiness status was current. The plane can carry up to six people. Grupo Ponzan Alimentos is an industry specializing in seasonings, sauces, flours, and preserves. The Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (Cenipa) was called to investigate the cause of the crash. As of now, the reasons for the accident remain unknown. The company stated it will fully cooperate with the investigations. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and rescue the victims.