Clandestine Hot Air Balloon Crash in São Paulo Kills One, Injures 11 During Romantic Flight Marked by Proposals

Juliana Alves Prado Pereira

A hot air balloon crash in Capela do Alto, São Paulo, turned a romantic excursion into tragedy on June 15, leaving one woman dead and 11 others injured. The flight, which was part of a celebration for Brazil’s Valentine’s Day and included multiple marriage proposals, is now the subject of a criminal investigation.

The balloon was carrying 33 passengers, a pilot, and an assistant when it crashed at approximately 7:50 a.m. local time. Juliana Alves Prado Pereira, 27, who was on board with her husband Leandro de Aquino Pereira, died from injuries sustained during the crash. Authorities believe she may have been pregnant and have ordered a pregnancy test as part of the autopsy. She was pronounced dead at a hospital in Sorocaba.

Juliana Alves Prado Pereira with her husband, Leandro de Aquino Pereira

According to Gabrielle Rosa do Nascimento, a 27-year-old college student who was also on the flight, several passengers had expressed concern over the strong winds that morning. Despite reassurances from the pilot, the flight ended in disaster just 25 minutes after takeoff. During the journey, three couples got engaged, including do Nascimento and her partner, Tiago Ribeiro Kempinas.

Do Nascimento recounted that a neighboring balloon was forced to land due to wind conditions, after which their own balloon accelerated dangerously. The pilot attempted a landing in an orange grove, during which four people were ejected from the basket and several were injured. The balloon then lifted off again before making another crash landing.

The military police reported that the balloon was unlicensed, and the pilot was arrested

Prado Pereira was severely injured in the crash. Witnesses described her as unconscious, with facial trauma and visible signs of pain. Despite her husband’s efforts to keep her alive, she succumbed to her injuries.

The pilot, identified as Fabio Salvador Pereira, was arrested at the scene and faces charges including aggravated manslaughter and illegal ballooning. Authorities report that Pereira was only authorized to operate private flights and was flying with irregular documentation. The balloon also exceeded its registered capacity of 24 passengers, carrying 35 people.

The Military Police and the Secretariat of Public Security of the State of São Paulo confirmed that 11 victims were taken to the Conjunto Hospitalar de Sorocaba for treatment. The incident is under investigation by the Capela do Alto Police Station, in collaboration with the Regional Service for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents and Brazil’s Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA).

A hot air balloon carrying tourists crashed in Sao Paulo state on Sunday, June 15, 2025, killing one person and injuring 10 others.

Officials stated that balloon flights had been banned on the day of the crash due to unsafe weather conditions. The Brazilian Ballooning Confederation confirmed that the balloon was not authorized and had no affiliation with the 38th Brazilian Hot Air Ballooning Championship occurring that same weekend. The organization also noted that the balloon company involved had been previously shut down.

Preliminary findings and forensic examinations, including an autopsy report, are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash and the victim's death. Meanwhile, passengers and their families are grappling with the emotional aftermath.

“What should have been a happy day of engagement became a nightmare for life,” said do Nascimento.