Ohlson was a paragliding instructor and became known in the region both for his participation in the sport and for his time as a volunteer in the war in Ukraine.
Paragliding pilot Thiago Ohlson died on the afternoon of Friday, 17th, after suffering an accident during a flight. The collision with a tree happened at Mirante da Praia Vermelha, in Penha, on the north coast of Santa Catarina.
Ohlson was a paragliding instructor and became known in the region both for his involvement in the sport and for his time as a volunteer in the war in Ukraine.
“On the battlefield we don’t sleep… we rest our bodies and minds however we can”, he reported in a post on social media on December 11, 2025.
The publication was made shortly after his return from Ukraine, in November.
Causes under investigation
So far, the causes of the accident have not been identified by authorities. On the day of the tragedy, the State Secretariat for Protection and Civil Defense of Santa Catarina had issued a warning for instability in the region, with a forecast of storms.
According to the bulletin, the passage of a cold front, combined with heat and humidity, created conditions for the occurrence of lightning, intense rain, possible hail and gusts of wind.
Due to the scenario, the risk was considered moderate to high for meteorological events in the accident area.
Trajectory
Thiago Ohlson was an experienced paraglider pilot, a practice that is similar to parachuting. He had been sharing flight records on social media since 2014, including part of his professional routine on the coast of Santa Catarina.
With more than 34,000 followers on social media, he also gained visibility by reporting his experience as a volunteer in Ukrainian troops against the Russian invasion.
In his last post, he talked about his authentic way of living. “Living my life my way, without asking permission, without lowering my head, without accepting what doesn’t add up”, he said.
After the death was confirmed, friends and professional colleagues paid tribute on social media, highlighting Ohlson’s adventurous profile and dedication to the sport.
“His departure leaves sadness and silence,” wrote one of the paraglider’s friends.
The investigations remain ongoing. Information about the wake has not yet been released.
