On Jan. 4, a small plane flying low over the Rio Negro near Manaus nosedived into the river and briefly floated after impact. Nearby civilians on jet skis and boats reached the wreckage first and rescued both people on board, who were taken to shore and treated for minor injuries. Authorities inspected the site afterward and reported no remaining hazards. The incident was recorded and shared on social media, highlighting the quick response of bystanders.
Dramatic Video: Small Plane Nose-Dives Into Rio Negro Near Manaus — Civilians Rescue Both Onboard
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A dramatic smartphone video captured a small plane flying low over the Rio Negro near Manaus on Jan. 4 before it suddenly nose-dived into the river. Bystanders on jet skis and boats raced to the scene and pulled both occupants from the water, providing first aid until emergency crews arrived.
Fernando Silva de Araujo via Storyful
What Happened
Eyewitness Fernando Araújo, who was jet-skiing in the area, recorded the moments leading up to the crash. He said the aircraft appeared to be making repeated landing and takeoff maneuvers along the riverbank. 'Suddenly, it made a right turn as if it were going to make a third landing, and quickly the plane lost altitude and crashed into the river,' Araújo told PEOPLE.
Fernando Silva de Araujo via Storyful
Rescue and Injuries
The disabled plane remained afloat briefly after impact, giving nearby boaters time to respond. Araújo says he and other civilians were first on scene and helped pull the pilot and passenger from the water. Both were taken to a nearby beach and given first aid: the pilot reportedly suffered two deep cuts to his forehead, while the passenger had a smaller forehead cut and a puncture wound to the inside of one thigh. Local reports described their injuries as minor and said both were in stable condition after treatment.
Official Response
The Amazonas Military Fire Department (CBMAM) was notified and arrived after the civilian rescue. Following an inspection of the crash site, authorities reported no ongoing hazards. Local outlet Amazonas Atual and video distributor Storyful corroborated the sequence of events. PEOPLE reached out to the fire department for further comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Video And Aftermath
Araújo posted the footage to Instagram and emphasized the prompt civilian response that helped save the occupants. The footage, shared with news outlets, has drawn attention both for its dramatic visuals and for the quick action of bystanders who provided lifesaving aid before official rescuers reached the scene.
Location: Rio Negro, near Manaus, Brazil — Date: Jan. 4
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