A 52-year-old man attempted to steal a helicopter at Caxambu Airport in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and crashed the aircraft during his takeoff attempt, though no one was harmed.
In a recent incident at Caxambu Airport in the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a 52-year-old man was caught on surveillance footage attempting to steal a helicopter. The video, recorded by the helicopter's internal camera system, shows the suspect seated in the cockpit, manipulating controls and using a cellphone to execute flight procedures moments before the aircraft crashed. This situation unfolded late Saturday night into Sunday morning, culminating in the aircraft tipping over during takeoff, thankfully without any injuries reported.
According to military police, the man gained unauthorized access to the airport's restricted area by cutting through a fence with pliers. Upon entering the R-66 helicopter, which is a modern aircraft capable of seating five people and manufactured in 2023, he managed to start the engine and attempted to take off. However, he lost control shortly after liftoff, leading to a crash that damaged the helicopter's blades and body, underscoring the potential dangers of such reckless actions.
The images from the surveillance footage will play a critical role in the ongoing investigation into the attempted theft. The incident raises concerns about airport security protocols and the ease with which an individual could infiltrate a restricted zone to access valuable aircraft. As authorities continue to probe the matter, further implications for tighter security measures at airports may arise to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
