Oliver Tree, YouTube Star Gaspi Among Six Killed in Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Collision

Singer-songwriter Oliver Tree and YouTube personality Gaspi, from Argentina, died Sunday when two helicopters crashed into each other in Rio de Janeiro’s southwest zone neighborhood of Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Six were killed aboard one aircraft and the lone pilot of the other aircraft in what authorities have called a mid-air crash on Sunday involving a singer-songwriter and YouTube personality.

Oliver Tree Nickell, 32, was known as Oliver Tree, and Gaspar Prim, 23, was known as Gaspi. CNN Brazil reported the deaths, citing the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro. Also killed were pilot Charles Marsillac and four others, identified as passenger, pilot Alexandre Souza, pilot Lucas Vignale, passenger Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilot Lucas Vignale. CNN Brazil reported that Gaspar was killed on a separate helicopter.

Authorities reported that five people on board one helicopter were killed, as well as the lone occupant on board the second aircraft, who was a pilot. Their deaths were attributed to Oliver Tree Nickell, 32 (passenger), pilot Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, 23 (passenger), passenger Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. It was reported that Gaspar was on the same helicopter as Tree.

The crash reportedly happened in a parking lot where it is believed that 20 cars caught fire as a result of the impact.

Tree was touring the nation when he took the opportunity to give him an afternoon of recording. Tree’s final social media activity before his death was posted on his Instagram story. He was seen working in a recording studio.

Ugly Is Beautiful, Tree’s debut album that dropped in 2020, went viral and built a dedicated fanbase, with many songs, including “When I’m Down.” Tree’s recent studio album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly,” came out earlier this year.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB), via the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), announced that it was deploying an investigation team to collect data, preserve evidence, and assess damage. The aircraft involved had registration numbers PP-MAC and PR-DJJ.

“The Brazilian Air Force (FAB), through the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), informs that, this Sunday (June 14th), investigators from the Third Regional Service for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (SERIPA III), based in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), were called to carry out the Initial Action of the incident involving two aircraft, registration numbers PP-MAC and PR-DJJ, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). During the Initial Action, qualified and accredited professionals apply specific techniques for data collection and confirmation, preservation of evidence, initial verification of damage caused to or by the aircraft, and gathering other information necessary for the investigation.”

The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) announced that they were also examining the operational status of the aircraft and pilots in question. They will also continue to lead the investigation into the cause of the collision. ANAC offered its condolences to the loved ones of those lost in the accident and strongly advised passengers to investigate the operator’s and the aircraft’s flying records before their next flights.

“The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) reports that it has become aware of the air accident involving two helicopters, today, June 14th, in Rio de Janeiro, and is investigating the situation of the aircraft and pilots involved in the case. The investigations into the causes will be conducted by the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA). ANAC regrets the incident, expresses its solidarity with the families and friends of the victims, and reiterates to all passengers on general aviation flights that they should verify the status of companies and aircraft before boarding.”

The exact reason for the accident remains under investigation.