Father de Carli, an experienced skydiver and trained in survival and wilderness skills, was no stranger to daring aerial exploits.
On April 20, 2008, he embarked on a mission that required more than casual bravery. This Roman Catholic Priest, equipped with a helmet, waterproof coveralls, an aluminum thermal flight suit, parachute, GPS tracker, and radio for air traffic control communication, was no novice to extreme endeavors in the sky.
This endeavor marked his second attempt, having previously embarked on a four-hour journey that reached an altitude of 17,390 feet earlier that year. On this first attempt, he launched from Ampere and safely landed in Argentina. However, during his second endeavor, he mysteriously vanished approximately eight hours after takeoff, despite his advanced equipment and communication tools.
A massive search and rescue operation was swiftly initiated, deploying planes, helicopters, and specialized teams to locate the missing priest.
Two days after his departure, observers spotted several multicolored balloons adrift in the sea off Brazil's southeastern coast. Months later, a body was discovered during the search, and DNA testing confirmed the identity of the missing priest.
Father Adelir Antonio de Carli had embarked on this audacious journey, not for personal glory but to raise funds for a chapel dedicated to truckers in his hometown along the highway.
His unconventional approach involved tethering himself to 1,000 helium balloons with the goal of surpassing the previous record for sustained flight with helium balloons, which stood at 19 hours.
While the tragic outcome casts a shadow over this extraordinary venture, it is important to acknowledge that Father de Carli was not reckless. Mace's chief of police, Daniel Bandeira, stated, “We were almost certain that it was the priest due to various elements, such as the clothes and material used in the balloon trip.“
The DNA only confirmed our suspicions.”
His brother, Moacir de Carli, expressed relief, saying, "Now we can have a respectable burial service."
He reportedly reached an altitude of 20,000 feet and was on course for a descent to approximately 8,200 feet as part of the planned flight to Dourados.
It is possible that he was diverted from his intended course by strong winds. Regrettably, just before losing contact, he mentioned that he was "losing height." His lifeless body was ultimately discovered by tugboat workers by chance.
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