Investigation Summary
On the morning of December 22, 2024, a twin-engine Piper Cheyenne 400LS, registration PR-NDN, departed runway 24 at Canela Airport at 09:12 local time for a private flight to Jundiaí. The aircraft was carrying the pilot, Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, and nine family members, including his wife, three daughters, sister, brother-in-law, mother-in-law, and two nephews. Meteorological conditions were poor, with fog, rain, and overcast skies reported. Approximately one minute after takeoff, the aircraft struck the chimney of a residence in Gramado, roughly 3 kilometers west of the airport. The impact caused a loss of control, leading the aircraft to strike the second floor of another residential building and a furniture store. The main wreckage crashed into a mobile phone store, triggering a large fire. All 10 occupants perished. On the ground, 17 individuals were injured, primarily from smoke inhalation, though two women suffered severe burns and were transported to Porto Alegre for treatment. The aircraft was authorized for night flight but lacked certification for air taxi operations.
Final Conclusions
The investigation is being conducted by the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA). A preliminary report has been opened (DEDALO occurrence 86202). As of the current reporting, the investigation is ongoing to determine the factors contributing to the loss of control, with weather conditions and the aircraft's low-altitude maneuvering under scrutiny.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Garrett TPE331-14 Engines
The PA-42-1000 is equipped with two 1,000 SHP turboprop engines, making it significantly more powerful than earlier Cheyenne variants.
Air Taxi Authorization
The aircraft was registered for private use only and lacked the specific ANAC certification required for commercial air taxi operations.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a high-performance Piper PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400LS (MSN 42-5527040) manufactured in 1989.
- 02All 10 occupants, including the pilot and nine family members, were killed in the accident.
- 03At least 17 people on the ground were injured, two of them critically with burns.
- 04The aircraft was authorized for night flights but was not authorized for air taxi operations.
- 05Weather observations at the time indicated light rain, fog, and a broken cloud layer at 600 feet.
- 06The pilot was the CEO of the business recovery firm Galeazzi & Associados.
Safety Actions & Advisories
CENIPA Investigation Launch
Source ↗The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) immediately deployed a team from the Fifth Regional Service (SERIPA V) to perform the 'Initial Action' of the investigation, which involves collecting data, photographing the scene, and removing parts for analysis.
Emergency Response Coordination
Source ↗The Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul and the Public Security Department coordinated a multi-agency response to suppress the post-crash fires and provide medical assistance to the 17 injured bystanders.