This is the moment an airship crashed into a row of houses in Brazil on Wednesday, injuring one person.
The airship, leased by Brazilian football club São Paulo FC for a promotional campaign, was conducting a test flight ahead of its Copa Libertadores quarter-final match against Botafogo on Wednesday night when it suddenly crashed in São Paulo’s Osasco neighborhood.
The airship was en route from the municipality of Carapicuiba when it crashed at around 12:06 p.m., firefighters said.
Footage showed the airship resting on top of houses as curious residents ran out of their homes.
The pilot, whose name has not been released, was rescued from the cabin and taken to a local hospital.
Authorities have not disclosed whether there were people in the homes at the time of the accident.
An airship advertising Brazilian soccer team São Paulo FC’s Copa Libertadores match crashed into several homes in the southeastern Brazilian city of São Paulo on Wednesday night. The airship’s pilot was rescued by firefighters and taken to a local hospital
The airship was conducting a test flight when it suddenly crashed into several houses in Osasco, a neighborhood in the southeastern Brazilian city of São Paulo, on Wednesday afternoon.
The Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center said investigators have been sent to the scene of the accident to begin the investigation.
“Data collection involves the use of specific techniques performed by qualified and accredited personnel who collect and confirm data, preserve the elements, perform initial verification of damage to or caused by the aircraft, and collect other information necessary for the investigation,” the agency said.
Firefighters said they were waiting for the city’s power provider to turn off power to the area before they could remove the balloon.
São Paulo FC said in a statement that the balloon would fly over the Morumbi Stadium and surrounding areas.
São Paulo FC said in a statement that it had previously rented the blimp in September 2023 to promote a match in a flyover of Morumbi Stadium and surrounding areas. It had done so again for Wednesday night’s Copa Libertadores match against Botagofo
The airship’s canvas featured the football team’s shield on both sides. On one side of the canvas was a message in Portuguese that translated as “Fans Who Lead” and on the other side was the message “Let’s Go São Paulo.”
“The aircraft underwent a test this morning in preparation for the night flight previously approved by ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency) and scheduled for the stadium area,” the team said.
‘The Club would like to inform you that fortunately there were no serious injuries and that all necessary support is being provided to the crew and other parties involved.’
São Paulo FC said it had previously leased the airship, owned by Brazil Airship Industry and Air Services SA, to fly over and near the stadium during the Copa do Brasil final in September 2023.