On Wednesday, an agricultural plane crashed on BR-070 at kilometer 291 in Primavera do Leste, close to Cuiabá, killing the 23-year-old pilot, Patrick Gabriel Grundler. The accident occurred around 1:45 PM at the intersection of BR-070 with MT-130, and although the plane fell onto the roadway, no vehicles were hit. Emergency services from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) rushed to the site, but the pilot succumbed to his injuries shortly after being rescued.

The debris from the aircraft, including the detached engine, was scattered across the road, prompting authorities to close the affected section for safety reasons. Patrick Gabriel had been working in agriculture aviation for four years, previously as an assistant, and this was his first year as a pilot, according to Rambo Aviação Agrícola. Investigations into the cause of the crash are being conducted by the Federal Highway Police (PRF) in coordination with the Regional Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Service (Seripa VI).

This tragic incident highlights the risks involved in agricultural aviation, particularly in a region that relies heavily on such practices for agricultural productivity. The loss of a young pilot and the disruption caused to road traffic raise concerns about safety measures and the need for stringent regulations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.