A private jet carrying singer Rey Vaqueiro and seven others burst into flames after veering off the runway at an airfield in Parelhas, Brazil, in the early hours of Sunday. The 26-year-old performer, born David Linhares Pereira de Sousa, was en route to a gig when the plane crash-landed.
Escape and Fire
The pilot, co-pilot, Rey, and five other passengers managed to evacuate the aircraft before it was engulfed in flames. While no injuries were reported, the 2006 Cessna 550 Bravo was completely destroyed in the inferno. Both engines ignited post-crash, with firefighters battling the blaze for approximately five hours.
The Fire Department stated: "Firefighters tackled the blaze and cooled the engines while the remaining fuel burned off." The runway was reportedly in good condition and the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid.
Background and Aftermath
Rey was scheduled to perform in Parelhas at 2.30am, following a performance in Moreno just a few hours prior. Hailing from São Paulo, Rey is known for his performances of traditional music from rural north-eastern Brazil. The singer maintains a hectic tour schedule, with 33 shows and only four days off planned for this month. His 2025 hit "Body Splash" has amassed 19 million views on YouTube.
Following the incident, Rey, his team members, and the crew were transported to a local hospital for medical evaluations and are reportedly in good health. Another plane carrying additional members of Rey's team had landed without any issues just minutes before. After the accident, Rey called off performances that were planned for Sunday in Custódia and Canhotinho.
Investigation and Related Incident
CENIPA, Brazil's aviation accident investigation agency, will be conducting an inquiry into the accident. The development comes after an EasyJet Airbus A320 was evacuated after a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment on Thursday, September 10. Smoke engulfed the cabin while the aircraft was still on the taxiway at Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy, as flight U23905 departed Terminal 2 heading for Prague. Pilots declared a mayday and commanded everyone off the plane. All 146 passengers exited the aircraft, with two sustaining minor bruises sliding down the inflatable chutes. Initial investigations suggest a lithium power bank overheated in a wheeled bag in an overhead compartment.
