The Brazilian Air Force announced, in a statement sent to the press advisory group, that a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) crashed in an uninhabited area this Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Read the statement:

“A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) of the FAB, used in missions to support those affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, experienced a technical problem during its operation and crashed in an uninhabited area on Tuesday (05/07).

The Air Force informs that the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) will investigate the contributing factors of the aviation occurrence.”

Use of RPA in RS

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) was using a large remotely piloted aircraft, the RQ-900, to assist in the rescue of flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul since last Sunday, May 5.

This aircraft, also called Hermes, has a wingspan of 15 meters and can fly at altitudes of up to 9,000 meters, covering a vast area.

With its high-definition sensors and laser markers, the Hermes’ mission was to send coordinates of flood victims to H-60L Black Hawk helicopters for rescue.