Authorities in Rio de Janeiro are investigating a deadly helicopter crash that killed six people after two aircraft collided in midair and went down in the city’s western zone on Sunday morning, June 14, 2026. Local firefighters said one of the helicopters crashed into the parking lot of a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, sparking a fire that was later extinguished. The other aircraft also went down in the same area. Officials have not yet released a confirmed cause of the collision.
The crash came one day after a 21-year-old woman died in a separate bungee jumping accident in Brazil, adding to a weekend of fatal airborne and extreme-sports incidents. Police said the passenger list provided to aviation authorities included American singer and comedian Oliver Tree, though the bodies of those killed have not yet been formally identified. Tree had performed in Buenos Aires on June 4 and posted a video on Instagram the day before the crash showing him playing soccer in a Brazilian neighborhood.
Argentine streaming channel Blender said content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz, known online as Gaspi, was also aboard one of the helicopters. Gaspi had more than 2.8 million YouTube followers and was 23 years old. Blender mourned his death on social media, calling him a talented creator whose art and sensibility would be missed.
Witnesses described a frightening scene as the helicopters went down. Fernandes de Freitas, a tire repair worker, said he saw one aircraft engulfed in flames after the collision and said a passenger appeared to jump from the other helicopter before it hit the ground. He described the moment as terrifying and horrifying.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the crash site, where burned vehicles and aircraft debris were left scattered across the dealership lot. Photos from the scene showed extensive damage and firefighters working to secure the area. Officials said investigators are examining the wreckage and reviewing evidence to determine what caused the midair collision.
The accident has drawn international attention because of the reported identities of the passengers and the scale of the destruction on the ground. Authorities have not yet confirmed the final death toll beyond six fatalities, and identification efforts are ongoing. The investigation remains active as aviation and police officials work to establish how the two helicopters came into contact and why they crashed in one of Rio de Janeiro’s busy western districts.
