Producer Victor Wao has described the moment he decided not to board a helicopter in Brazil, a last-minute choice that kept him off the flight that later crashed in Rio de Janeiro.
The accident happened on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood in Rio’s west zone, when two helicopters collided in mid-air and came down in a commercial area, setting off a fire after one of them crashed into a parking lot used by a car dealership.
Six people were killed in the crash: the passengers and pilots aboard the two aircraft. Those reported dead included American singer and producer Oliver Tree, Argentine content creator Gaspi, Argentine filmmaker Lucas Vignale, Brazilian music producer Lucas Frota, and the two pilots, Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
Authorities said the investigation is still ongoing, with Brazil’s aviation accident prevention agency and police examining the wreckage, flight records and other evidence to determine what caused the collision. Early statements from investigators indicated that human error may have played a role, though no final conclusion has been released.
Wao was originally expected to travel on one of the helicopters with the group, but he says he backed out at the last minute because he was afraid of flying.
In posts and interviews after the tragedy, Wao said he had been headed to Angra dos Reis with the others and had been offered a car instead because of his anxiety about flying.
He wrote on Instagram: “I was supposed to be with you in that helicopter, but I didn’t go at the last minute,” he wrote. “You told me that, since I was afraid of flying, you had gotten a car to take me to Angra.”
He added: “THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST FRIEND I COULD ASK GOD FOR! I will always remember you with that smile on your face that enchanted everyone! I love you, See you on the other side … I love you forever.”
Wao’s account was later echoed by other reporting from the scene, which said he had planned to make the trip but changed his mind shortly before departure. Another influencer, Thiago Alcântara, also said he nearly boarded one of the helicopters but did not travel.
The crash has prompted scrutiny of the aircraft involved, including whether the flight was operating normally and whether any safety violations contributed to the collision. Brazilian aviation authorities have said the technical report will be key to establishing the sequence of events.
For Wao, the tragedy has turned what he described as a simple fear of flying into a devastating reminder of how close he came to being among the victims.