Was the Miami helicopter tour pilot who crashed at North Perry licensed to fly?
Summary
Aircraft Pembroke Pines Florida in Pembroke Pines, Florida: On June 20, 2026, a Robinson R44 helicopter operated by Sky Helicopter Tours crashed upon takeoff at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Pilot Marcelo Andrade, 56, of Dania Beach, told NTSB investigators the helicopter drifted left shortly after lifting into a hover, then sharply to the right, and he could not stop the drift before impact. The helicopter struck a parked plane. A 39-year-old man and two children in the helicopter were sent to the hospital. Andrade does not appear in the FAA Airmen Inquiry database as holding a pilot certificate, and the helicopter had been categorized for 'Agriculture and Pest Control,' which prohibits carrying passengers.
Publicly reported parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Francisco Diaz Pascual | Unknown | Hospitalized |
| Marcelo Andrade | Unknown | Unknown |
| Sky Helicopter Tours | Unknown | Unknown |