Helicopter carrying Rick reportedly located in Santa Catarina mountains; rescue stalled by weather and terrain
According to Portal Léo Dias, authorities have reportedly found the Bell 430 PP-MGR in a canyon area that is nearly inaccessible by land or air. Rain and wind are preventing the rescue operation overnight. The Air Force (FAB) and Fire Department have not yet officially confirmed the location.
Portal Léo Dias reported on Monday night (21) that authorities participating in the search have reportedly located the helicopter carrying singer Rick—of the duo Rick & Renner—and businessman Bruno Avelar. The source, described as having ties to rescue teams and the local press, states that the aircraft is in a mountainous canyon area that is extremely difficult to access by land or air. Rain and wind tonight are preventing approach. The report contains no confirmed information regarding the condition of the occupants.
Five people were reportedly on board: Rick, Avelar, the pilot, the co-pilot, and a fifth passenger whose identity has not yet been disclosed. Earlier versions from the press office mentioned Rick, Avelar, a videographer, and the pilot. The aircraft is a Bell 430 (registration PP-MGR) owned by JTA Empreendimentos; it had taken off from Porto Belo/Costa Esmeralda bound for São Joaquim. It lost contact in the early afternoon. Firefighters first swept the Vacas Gordas area in Urubici, finding no trace, and then moved to the location of the last mobile phone signal—about 30 km away, near São Joaquim. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) deployed Black Hawk H-60 and SC-105 Amazonas aircraft. INMET maintained a red storm alert, warning of rainfall exceeding 60 mm/h, winds over 100 km/h, and hail.
As of early Tuesday morning, outlets such as G1, CNN, and Estadão—along with statements from the CBMSC and DECEA—continued to describe the operation as ongoing, with no official announcement that the aircraft had been located. Civil Defense initially mentioned a suspension of operations for the night but later corrected the information, confirming that work was continuing. Léo Dias’s report, therefore, represents a development attributed to a source rather than an official statement from the FAB or the Fire Department. The news portal noted that the rescue would require special equipment due to the steep terrain and that teams were expected to resume operations at daybreak, weather permitting. Any information regarding survivors is only valid if it comes directly from the agency or its press office.
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