Adelir Antonio De Carli was a Brazilian Catholic priest who became famous for his cluster ballooning attempts. He wanted to raise money and awareness for a spiritual rest area for truck drivers in his parish. However, his adventurous spirit led him to a fatal flight that ended his life in a mysterious way. What happened to the balloon priest and what was the cause of his death? Here is the tragic story of Adelir Antonio De Carli.
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Who Was Adelir Antonio De Carli?
Adelir Antonio De Carli was born in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on February 8, 1967. He was ordained as a priest in 1996 and served in several parishes in Paraná state. He was also a human rights advocate who denounced violations against homeless people in Paranaguá, the port city where he was based. He caused the arrest of seven municipal guard agents and the municipal security secretary for their involvement in the abuses. [according to Wikipedia]
De Carli was also an experienced skydiver who had a passion for flying. He decided to use cluster ballooning as a way to promote his cause and attract donations for his project. Cluster ballooning is a form of ballooning where a person is lifted by a large number of helium-filled balloons. De Carli wanted to break the world record for the longest flight duration using this method. [according to The Tech Education]
How Did He Attempt Cluster Ballooning?
De Carli made his first attempt at cluster ballooning on January 13, 2008. He used 600 balloons to fly from Ampére, Paraná, to San Antonio, Misiones, Argentina, over a distance of 25 kilometers (16 miles). He reportedly reached an altitude of 5,300 meters (17,400 feet) and completed the flight in four hours. He was happy with his achievement and planned to do it again with more balloons and longer duration. [according to Wikipedia]
His second and final attempt was on April 20, 2008. He attached himself to a chair with 1,000 balloons and took off from Paranaguá. His goal was to fly for 19 hours and reach the border of Paraguay. He had a parachute, helmet, waterproof coveralls, GPS device, mobile phone, satellite phone, flotation device chair, aluminum thermal flight suit, and enough food and water for at least five days. He also had a camera to record his flight and a radio to communicate with his ground crew. [according to The Tech Education]
What Went Wrong During His Flight?
De Carli’s flight did not go as planned. He faced strong winds that blew him off course and made him lose control of his balloons. He also had trouble using his GPS device and could not determine his exact location. He reached an altitude of 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) before he lost contact with the authorities. He made his last call to his friends from his cell phone and said that he was losing height and about to crash into the ocean. [according to UNILAD]
After that, no one heard from him again. Pieces of his balloons were found floating in the sea the next day. The Brazilian Navy launched a massive search operation involving boats, planes, and helicopters. They combed the ocean and the forested mountains for any sign of the priest. However, they could not find him alive. They called off the search on April 29, saying that the chances of finding him alive were “very remote”. [according to Wikipedia]
How Did He Die And How Was His Body Found?
The exact cause and time of De Carli’s death are unknown. However, there are some possible scenarios that could have happened. He could have died on impact when he hit the water, or he could have drowned after hitting the water. He could have also died from hypothermia, dehydration, or starvation if he survived the crash but could not get help. He could have also been attacked by sharks or other marine predators. [according to All That’s Interesting]
His body was found by chance on July 4, 2008, by an offshore oil rig support vessel. The workers spotted the lower half of a human body floating on the ocean surface about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. They retrieved the body and notified the authorities. A medical examiner confirmed that the body belonged to De Carli by comparing DNA samples from his brother. His family was relieved to have closure and arranged for a dignified funeral. [according to The Tech Education]
What Was The Legacy Of The Balloon Priest?
De Carli’s death was a tragic end to a noble and adventurous life. He was remembered as a brave and generous priest who wanted to help others and fulfill his dreams. His cluster ballooning attempts were admired by many people who saw him as an inspiration and a hero. His story also raised awareness about the dangers and challenges of cluster ballooning and the need for proper safety measures and training. His project for the truckers’ rest stop and chapel was completed by his parish and named after him. [according to Wikipedia]
De Carli’s death also sparked a debate about the ethics and legality of cluster ballooning. Some people criticized him for being reckless and irresponsible, while others defended him for being courageous and creative. Some people questioned the validity and value of his record attempt, while others praised him for his ambition and vision. Some people argued that cluster ballooning should be banned or regulated, while others claimed that it should be allowed and encouraged. [according to The Tech Education]
De Carli’s death was a sad and shocking event that left a lasting impression on many people. He was a man who lived and died for his faith and his passion. He was the balloon priest who flew too high and too far. He was Adelir Antonio De Carli.
