3 Killed After an Embraer EMB-721C Slams into a Building

**kellyhound** · #1 ● 05-05-2026, 06:01 PM

Three people have died after a small single-engine plane crashed into a residential building in the Silveira neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, shortly after takeoff.

The aircraft, an Embraer EMB-721C (Sertanejo) manufactured in 1979 (registration PT-EYT), departed from Pampulha Airport at 12:16 p.m. local time, bound for São Paulo. Minutes after takeoff, the pilot reported technical difficulties and a loss of altitude to the control tower.

Dramatic footage captured by a TV Globo news helicopter showed the plane flying dangerously low and banking left before clipping the corner of a three-story apartment building and plunging into a nearby parking lot.

There were five people on board the private flight. While two died on impact, a third victim passed away later at the hospital.

Wellinton de Oliveira Pereira (34), the pilot, a native of Paraná, died at the scene. Fernando Moreira Souto (36), a veterinarian and the son of Nilo Souto, the Mayor of Jequitinhonha. He was sitting in the co-pilot's seat and died on impact. Leonardo Berganholi Martins (50) was an entrepreneur who was rescued in critical condition but died hours later at John XXIII Hospital.

Two passengers survived and remain in stable condition at the hospital. Arthur Schaper Berganholi (25) who is Leonardo’s son and Hemerson Cleiton Almeida Souza (53), an entrepreneur.

Miraculously, no residents inside the building were injured. Firefighters noted that the aircraft struck the building’s stairwell, which likely prevented a higher death toll by avoiding direct impact with the occupied apartments.

The Brazilian Air Force's investigation center, CENIPA, has launched a probe into the crash. Initial findings from the National Civil Aviation Agency indicates that while the plane's airworthiness certificate was valid until 2027, it did not have authorization to operate as a commercial passenger transport. Investigators are currently looking into mechanical failure and whether the aircraft was overweight during takeoff.