Singer among five killed in helicopter crash

SANTA CATARINA, 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

A Brazilian helicopter carrying five people, including sertanejo singer Rick Sollo of the famed duo Rick & Renner, crashed in the mountains of Santa Catarina on Tuesday, killing all aboard, Brazil’s fire department said.

The loss of Sollo, whose partnership with Renner has been a mainstay of Brazil’s country‑music scene since the 1980s, reverberates across the Latin American entertainment market, where the duo’s recordings and live performances generate significant revenue through record sales, streaming, concert tours and merchandising. Their prominence also makes the incident a point of interest for regional investors monitoring the cultural‑industry sector, where high‑profile artists can influence market dynamics and sponsorship arrangements.

According to the fire department, the Bell 430 helicopter, built in 2001, disappeared shortly after take‑off from the coastal town of Porto Belo. The aircraft was en route to São Joaquim when it encountered the predicted adverse weather. The crash site was located on Tuesday after a search involving roughly 40 firefighters, more than ten vehicles, drones, two detection dogs and a fog‑shrouded aircraft.

Those on board were identified as singer Rick Sollo, businessman Bruno Avelar, cameraman Paulo Soares, the pilot and a co‑pilot. Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency confirmed the Bell 430 held a valid air‑worthiness certificate at the time of the flight.

The civil aviation authority’s statement that the helicopter was authorized to operate underscores compliance with regulatory standards, but the accident will trigger a formal investigation to determine the precise cause. Findings are expected to inform future operational guidelines for flights in the region’s frequently volatile weather, potentially affecting insurance premiums and risk assessments for private aviation operators serving the entertainment and business sectors.

Related: Santa Catarina