Plane explodes on landing in Sao Paulo, killing pilot

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Cessna 545 jet-engine plane veered off the runway at Ubatuba Airport on Sao Paulo’s coast and exploded on Praia do Cruzeiro beach, killing the pilot and injuring several others, local media reported Thursday.

The four passengers — a couple and their two children — were rescued alive. Several pedestrians on the ground were also hurt in the incident, according to GloboNews.

The family was transported to Santa Casa de Ubatuba Hospital, where they remain in stable condition, Ubatuba Fire Department Captain Karoline Magalhaes confirmed.

Rede VOA CEO Marcel Moure said the plane used less runway than was available, noting that the portion used was already considered too short for a safe landing.

The Cessna 545 had only 560 meters (1,837 feet) of available runway at the time of landing, although the full runway stretches 940 meters (3,084 feet). The aircraft’s manual states it requires at least 838 meters (2,749 feet) to stop safely on a wet runway.

According to Moure, it is “very rare” for a jet-engine plane of this model to land at Ubatuba Airport, adding that the airport mainly handles helicopters and turboprop aircraft.

Moure explained: "Jet aircraft also have greater landing speed. They land faster than a turboprop," which adds to the risks.

Weather conditions during the landing were "degraded," with witness footage showing dense fog in the surrounding mountains, he noted.

The airport operates under visual flight conditions and lacks a control tower, which is only mandated for airports with more than 30,000 annual flights. In 2024, Ubatuba recorded about 5,000 flights and relies on radio communication for local updates.

“We don’t have that there,” Moure said, adding that Rede VOA has requested approval from Decea to prioritize an instrument approach system for safer landings.