Two Pilots Killed in Beechcraft Baron 58 Crash Near Marília Airport

Two pilots were killed and a third occupant seriously injured Tuesday when a Beechcraft Baron 58, registration PT-MDB, crashed near Marília Airport (SBML) in São Paulo state, Brazil. The aircraft came down on a soccer field belonging to the Banco do Brasil club, approximately one kilometer from the runway threshold, while turning final for Runway 03. The aircraft was destroyed on impact.

Local media reports indicate the flight was a test flight conducted following the renewal of maintenance and operational documentation. The aircraft departed Marília shortly after 11 a.m. local time and had been airborne approximately 40 minutes before the accident. Brazilian television identified the victims as pilots Henrique Guariente and Gabriel Maluni Mendes da Cruz. A third occupant was transported to Hospital das Clínicas in Marília with severe head trauma and remained in critical condition.

Investigation Underway

Brazil's air accident investigation agency, the Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (CENIPA), has opened a formal inquiry to determine the cause of the crash. Officials have not identified a specific mechanical failure or pilot error. The Beechcraft Baron 58 is a widely used twin-engine light piston aircraft in general aviation, and light twins are frequently noted in safety databases for handling challenges during approach and landing phases.