Helicopter collision over Psatha kills two during firefighting

A mid-air collision between two Bell helicopters fighting a major fire in Attica-Viotia has resulted in a tragic accident, claiming two lives and leaving two injured. The incident occurred over Psatha.

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The one helicopter was coming much faster than the other. It was approaching, but likely couldn't see it because it was lower. The second helicopter made a turn at the last moment, which possibly created even more unfavorable conditions. From the image, it seems neither saw the other.

Shocking video footage captures the moment of the collision. One helicopter, piloted by a Dane with a Greek interpreter as crew, was flying slightly ahead and higher than the second helicopter, piloted by a Briton with a Greek crew member. The first helicopter's rotor appears to strike the water hose of the second, causing it to explode and crash. The British pilot managed to land the second helicopter on a road, but the collision proved fatal for the Danish pilot and his Greek companion.

Authorities are investigating the precise cause of the crash, examining possibilities such as technical malfunction and human error. Experienced helicopter pilot George Hiotakis suggested that miscommunication and human error are the most likely factors. He noted that both helicopter crews were under extreme pressure due to the difficult firefighting operation, and the crew of the crashed helicopter seemed unaware of what had happened.

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Every accident or mishap has many factors that contribute to the final result. In this specific case, we have the image of the collision and we can see how the two helicopters approached each other.

Retired Lieutenant General Vassilis Vrettos commented to ERT that every aviation accident results from a chain of events, not a single mistake. He explained that the visual evidence suggests one helicopter was moving much faster and approaching the second from a blind spot. "The one helicopter was coming much faster than the other. It was approaching, but likely couldn't see it because it was lower. The second helicopter made a turn at the last moment, which possibly created even more unfavorable conditions. From the image, it seems neither saw the other," Vrettos stated. He emphasized that a lack of visibility and coordination, indicating human error, was apparent in an airspace crowded with multiple aircraft. Vrettos concluded that while human error seems evident, other significant contributing factors may emerge from the investigation.

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It seems there is human error, but there may be other equally important causes that contributed to the final result.