Helicopter Carrying Oliver Tree Was Under Investigation for Expired Maintenance, Irregular Flights

Brazilian authorities are investigating the fatal helicopter crash that killed singer Oliver Tree and four others, with new details emerging about the aircraft's troubled past. The Bell 206B helicopter, registered as PP-MAC, was reportedly the subject of an investigation last year following an anonymous tip.

According to the newspaper O Globo, the tip alleged that the helicopter was involved in clandestine air taxi operations. It also faced accusations of operating with expired maintenance records and inconsistent flight hour logs. The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) requested flight documentation from the owner, Turfik Comércio de Frutas LTDA, but the company allegedly refused to provide the documents.

Despite the helicopter holding a valid airworthiness certificate, it lacked authorization for commercial passenger transport services. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and officials have not yet determined if the aircraft's prior issues contributed to the fatal accident. Oliver Tree died Sunday morning in Rio de Janeiro when his helicopter collided with another in mid-air, also killing YouTuber Gaspi, director Lucas Vignale, producer Lucas Brito, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.