Pilot Dragged Free From Burning Wreck As Colleague Burns Alive Begging For Help

Sports club workers dragged a pilot from a burning plane wreck as another pilot and a third victim were trapped inside with one begging for help as flames engulfed the aircraft.

The small aircraft came down on a football pitch at the AABB sports club in Marilia, a city in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, on 10th June.

The plane had taken off from Marilia Airport at around 11.13am and was returning to the same airfield when it crashed beside the runway.

Video footage filmed moments after the crash shows thick black smoke rising from the wreckage as staff and clubgoers rush to the scene.

Two pilots died in the crash and a third pilot was rescued in serious condition.

The surviving pilot has been named as Pablo Portella Ilwoski, 28.

He was taken to the University Hospital of Marilia where he remained in a serious condition.

AABB general assistant Ademir Durelo said he was having lunch when he heard the explosion.

He said: “I was having lunch when we heard an explosion.

“When I got to the site, the fire had already started.

“I saw a young man, the one we managed to get out of the plane.

“Then we managed to cut the seatbelt and pull him out.

“We dragged him outside, and there were two more in the front.”

Another club worker, Mauro Alves Ferreira, said one of the other victims was still calling for help but could not be freed as the flames spread.

He said: “One of them was still asking for help, but he seemed to be trapped while the fire advanced.

“We tried to think of some way to help, but it was not possible.”

The two pilots who died have been named as Gabriel Maloni Mendes da Cruz, 24, and Henrique Guariente Filho, 47.

Gabriel was reportedly flying the aircraft when it crashed. Their bodies were found burned in the wreckage.

The aircraft was a Beech Aircraft 58 twin-engine plane with the registration PT-MDB.

Brazilian aviation records reportedly showed the 1985 aircraft had valid airworthiness status.

But the plane was not authorised for commercial operations. The aircraft belonged to Grupo Ponzan Alimentos, a food company specialising in seasonings, sauces, flour products and preserves.

Gabriel was a pilot for the company and Grupo Ponzan Alimentos said in a statement that it deeply regretted his death and confirmed that the aircraft involved in the crash belonged to the group.

The company said: “At this moment of immense sadness, the entire Grupo Ponzan family stands in solidarity with Gabriel’s family, friends and work colleagues, expressing our most sincere condolences for this irreparable loss.”

The company said the crash had killed two pilots and left a third pilot in hospital.

It added: “So far, the causes of the accident have not been officially confirmed.

“The circumstances are being investigated by the competent authorities and the company is following developments with attention, responsibility and full cooperation.”

Marilia Civil Defence and airport operator Rede Voa said the aircraft had taken off shortly before the crash and was due to return to Marília Airport.

Flight tracking data reportedly showed the aircraft made three turns in the air before coming down.

Firefighters were called to tackle the blaze and rescue the victims.

The cause of the crash is still unknown.

Brazil’s Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Centre is investigating.

(Mike Leidig / Newsflash)