A shocking video has emerged showing a dad appearing to drink a bottle of beer while his 11-year-old son flies their private plane. It comes as authorities try to work out whether the video was filmed moments before the pair died in a plane crash.
Researcher Garon Maia, 42, and his son Francisco Maia died after their twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 58 – worth around $1.2 million – crashed into a forest between Rondônia and Mato Grosso on July 29. The video seemingly showing the pair has now emerged on social media, but it is unclear if Garon himself posted it.
During the clip he can be seen sitting in the co-pilot seat instructing Francisco on how to operate the plane as it sped down a dirt runway. It is unclear if the video shows the pair on the fateful flight.
According to the Daily Mail, Garon’s wife Ana Pridonik, took her own life after the pair were laid to rest.
In the video, Garon says: “Wait, everything ready? Nothing in front, ok. Come on, 600 horses, you can push. 600 Kikão, go.
“Good lady. Hand on the lever, hand on the lever. Keep your hand there and look at the speed.”
Moments later he is seen drinking a beer, commenting “the passenger can have one, right Kiko?”
Garon flew out of a family farm in the Rondônia city of Nova Conquista. He is then said to have stopped to refuel at an airport in Vilhena, a Brazilian farm worker told G1.
He was reportedly planning on flying his son back to Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, where the youngster went to school and lived with his mother.
His aircraft reportedly took off at around 5.50pm but crashed eight minutes later, after it disappeared from radar, authorities say. Rescue workers searched the area Saturday and were able to locate the bodies Sunday.
The pair were laid to rest on Sunday. According to the Daily Mail, wife, Ana Pridonik, 27, was found in the couple’s bedroom having suffered a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a local hospital where she died.
The Research Center for the Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents is investigating the cause of the crash. Brazilian law says you have to be over 18 to fly a plane, you must also have completed flight school and be registered with the National Civil Aviation Agency.
