The singer and five others were killed when two choppers collided in Brazil.

Oliver Tree’s producer reveals he was meant to board doomed helicopter flight — and why he pulled out

The singer and five others were killed when two choppers collided in Brazil.

By Sharareh Drury

June 17, 2026 2:24 p.m. ET

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Oliver Tree; Victor WAO. Credit:

Michael Hickey/FilmMagic; Victor WAO/Instagram

- Singer Oliver Tree died Sunday in a helicopter crash over Rio de Janeiro.

- Tree's music producer Victor WAO shared in a social media post how he could have been on board.

- Tree was among six people who killed when two helicopters collided.

A producer for Oliver Tree says he nearly boarded the helicopter that ended up crashing in Brazil on Sunday, killing the musician and five other people.

"I was supposed to be with you guys in that helicopter, and I didn’t go at the last second," Victor WAO wrote in an Instagram story post that paid tribute to music producer Lucas Frota, who also died in the crash, according to PageSix.

“You told me that since I was scared [of flying], you had managed to get a car to take me to Angra and someone else would go in my place," he continued. "Now I owe you my life, brother. I don’t know what to do at this moment. I love you so much! I will never forget you! Lucas, you were pure light!"

Tree, a musician and comedian who skyrocketed to fame after going viral with his 2017 track "When I'm Down," and Frota were among six killed when two helicopters collided over Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday morning, according to reports from multiple outlets including the Associated Press and CNN Brazil. There were no survivors.

The other victims included passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim (also known as Argentinian YouTuber Gaspi), and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

Tree in New York last year.

John Nacion/WireImage

Victor also shared photos of himself with Tree and Frota in an Instagram carousel, writing that Frota was "the best friend I could ask God for."

"I will always remember you with that smile on your face that enchanted everyone! I love you, See you on the other side @iamlucasfrota @frotographs_ I love you forever 💔🙏🏻," Victor wrote at the end of his post.

Tree's girlfriend Fiona Chernavskaya has also spoken out following his tragic death.

She shared her grief in an Instagram Story on Wednesday, writing "Thank you for all the kind words. I appreciate every ounce of support at this time. There are so many who have been affected by his passing, please show them love too."

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She also requested "respect for my privacy," noting that she and Tree tried to keep their relationship "very intimate."

"What I really don't need is to see gossip about other women that Oliver may have been seeing," she added. "We were monogamous. Right now I'm mourning my partner and best friend, anything else is unimportant. Please have some respect."

Oliver Tree revealed his family won't 'get a penny' after his death, just weeks before his fatal crash

Oliver Tree's ex Melanie Martinez remembers 'true artist' after deadly helicopter crash

Chernavskaya's post comes after she shared a carousel of photos of her and Tree alongside a note to her late partner on Instagram on Tuesday.

"To my best friend," the fashion stylist wrote. "We traveled to 43 countries, and all 7 continents together. The magic, inspiration and joy you brought to my life and others, will never be forgotten or replaced. You’d always tell me when we argued, if things don’t work out in this lifetime, you will find me in the next. I love you buggy."

According to CNN, the two helicopters were flying over an electric vehicle yard when the crash occurred. At least 20 cars were set ablaze after being struck at the crash site. Authorities have stated that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision.

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