Tragic Mid-Air Collision at Beja Air Show Claims Life of Esteemed Pilot Manuel “Coco” Rey

The Beja Air Show turned tragic on Sunday when a mid-air collision involving three Yakovlev Yak-52 aircraft from the Spanish-Portuguese Yakstars aerobatic team resulted in the death of celebrated pilot Manuel Rey Cordeiro, known affectionately as “Coco.” The accident occurred during a high-stakes aerobatic demonstration that captivated the audience until the fatal mishap.

Eyewitnesses provide detailed accounts of the tragic accident scenario, explaining how one of the aircraft deviated from the formation of six planes. The aircraft then executed a steep climb, intersecting with the Vic-formation consisting of the remaining five planes. A critical moment unfolded when the tail of the aircraft came into contact with the propeller of the plane positioned on the left wing, resulting in significant damage. Consequently, the affected aircraft entered into an uncontrollable spiral, ultimately resulting in a fatal crash. Despite the pilot's attempts to avert the impending catastrophe by jumping out of the damaged aircraft, the parachute failed to deploy successfully, whether due to a malfunction or insufficient time, resulting in his tragic fall and death.

Manuel Rey Cordeiro
Photo: Yakstars

The two other aircraft involved in the collision were also damaged. One of these, suffering serious damage, performed a forced landing that ended with the aircraft flipping over. The other aircraft, which sustained minor damage, managed to land safely shortly after the incident. Both pilots from these aircraft survived the ordeal and are reported to be in good condition, with no immediate threat to their lives.

This tragic event follows another incident at the Beja Air Show on Saturday, where a Hungarian Air Force Gripen fighter jet burst a tyre upon landing after its display, adding to the weekend’s series of unfortunate events.

Manuel Rey Cordeiro, from Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain, was a distinguished figure in the aerobatic community. Known as “Coco,” he had served as the Lead Solo pilot for the Yakstars for over 15 years, also flying in the Slot position. His extensive experience and versatility as a pilot were widely recognized. Coco was proficient in flying a diverse range of aircraft, from commercial jets like Airbuses to extreme aerobatic aircraft such as the Sukhoi SU-29M, Extra 300/330, and Cap 10, among others. He was also an accomplished parachutist.

With approximately 18,000 flight hours to his name, Coco was a seasoned competitor in both national and international aviation events, including the World Air Games, Microlight World Cups, Yak World Championships, and the World Aerobatic Championship. Over the past 25 years, he earned numerous accolades, frequently finishing as a runner-up or champion in various categories.

In his professional life, Coco served as a captain for Vueling, piloting A319/320/321 aircraft. His loss is deeply felt within the aviation community, where he was respected not only for his exceptional skill and dedication but also for his passion for flight and his contributions to the sport of aerobatics.

Three Yak-52 of the Yakstars
Photo: Diogo Vicente

The Portuguese Air Force, the organizing body behind the Beja Air Show, along with the international aviation community, express their deepest sympathies to Coco's family, friends, and colleagues in light of this challenging period. Ongoing investigations are underway as authorities work diligently to uncover the exact details surrounding this unfortunate incident.