Helicopter Crash Archives - Aviation Today

Seven Killed In Helicopter Crash In Kenya’s Samburu County During Safari Charter Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / August 20, 2026

Samburu County, Kenya: A Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters crashed in northern Kenya’s Samburu County on Wednesday, […]

Aircraft Crashes

Two US Army Soldiers Killed As Fort Hood-Based Apache Crashes During Training In Texas

Aviation Today News Desk / August 13, 2026

Texas, United States: Two US Army soldiers were killed Wednesday after an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood

Aircraft Crashes

Two Pilots Killed As Sikorsky S-64 Crashes Fighting Utah’s Widemouth 2 Fire

Aviation Today News Desk / August 11, 2026

Richfield, United States: Two pilots were killed after a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter crashed while conducting firefighting operations on the Widemouth

Aircraft Crashes

Tourist Helicopter Crashes In Rio’s Tijuca National Park, Killing All Four Onboard

Aviation Today News Desk / August 10, 2026

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A tourist helicopter crashed in Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca National Park on Saturday, August 8, killing

Athens, Greece: A Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air while battling a major wildfire west of Athens on Sunday, marking another tragedy as Greece faces multiple fast-moving wildfires amid extreme weather conditions. The collision occurred over the Psatha area near Porto Germeno, west of the Greek capital, where emergency crews were battling a wind-driven wildfire that has been burning since Friday. According to Greek authorities, both helicopters were Bell firefighting helicopters operating on aerial water-dropping missions over the fire zone. Each helicopter carried two crew members. One aircraft crashed following the collision, killing its Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer. The second helicopter managed to make an emergency landing, and its occupants, a British pilot and a Greek crew member survived with minor injuries. Both survivors were transported to hospital for treatment. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased or the survivors. The exact cause of the mid-air collision remains under investigation. Officials have not indicated whether the helicopters made physical contact during water-dropping operations or while manoeuvring over the wildfire. No preliminary findings have been released, and investigators are expected to examine flight operations, communications and weather conditions in the area. The helicopters were supporting efforts to contain a rapidly spreading wildfire near Porto Germeno, a coastal community on the Gulf of Corinth. Strong, gusting winds significantly complicated firefighting operations, limiting aircraft movements and, at times, preventing helicopters and water bombers from safely collecting seawater for repeated drops. Nearly 500 firefighters supported by 23 aircraft were deployed to combat the blaze. The fire, which ignited near Agios Vasileios on Friday, spread quickly through dry forests toward Porto Germeno and surrounding mountainous terrain west of Athens. Authorities ordered evacuations for the communities of Kandili, Agia Skepi, and Toutouli as flames advanced. Earlier in the emergency, firefighters evacuated 254 people by sea on Friday and another 12 on Saturday, with maritime evacuations becoming the safest option after smoke and flames threatened the limited road access from coastal settlements. Wildfire meteorologist Theodore Giannaros estimated the blaze had affected approximately 40 to 50 square kilometres (15–19 square miles), although Greek authorities had not issued an official burn-area estimate. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed condolences following the accident. "The loss of the Greek coordinator and the Danish pilot at the time they were attempting the major fire in Porto Germeno fills us all with grief," Mitsotakis said in a statement. In a separate message, the Prime Minister also expressed his "deepest sorrow" over the deaths and extended condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those killed while responding to the wildfire emergency. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also paid tribute to the crews, saying: "It takes a special courage to fly towards the flames." Greek authorities have launched an investigation into Sunday's helicopter collision. Officials are expected to determine the circumstances that led to the accident while aerial firefighting operations continue against multiple active wildfires across the country.

Aircraft Crashes

Two Killed As Firefighting Helicopters Collide While Battling Greece Wildfire

Aviation Today News Desk / August 3, 2026

Athens, Greece: A Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air

San Juan Province, Argentina: All seven people aboard a Bell 412 helicopter were killed after the aircraft crashed in Argentina's San Juan Province on July 29 while en route to support wildfire suppression operations in the neighboring province of La Rioja, authorities confirmed. The helicopter, operated under contract to Argentina's Federal Emergency Agency (AFE), went down during the morning near Ischigualasto Provincial Park, around 1,100 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires. Officials said the aircraft had been conducting training activities in San Juan before departing to assist firefighters battling a forest fire in La Rioja. According to the AFE, the helicopter's last recorded communication was received at 10:26 a.m. local time. After contact was lost, another aircraft operating in the area located the crash site and alerted authorities, triggering the emergency response. There were seven people on board, and all were killed. No survivors were reported, and authorities did not report any injuries on the ground. Those killed included Carlos Heredia, Director of Civil Protection in San Juan; Germán Videla, Deputy Chief of the San Juan Provincial Police; Rubén Castro and Jorge Carbajal, both senior officers with the provincial Fire Department; pilot Matías Valenzuela; and AFE firefighters Andrés Bosch and Rodrigo Aimetta, who were deployed from other jurisdictions. San Juan Governor Marcelo Orrego confirmed the fatalities in a statement posted on social media, "It is with deep sorrow that we received the news of the helicopter accident that occurred in our province, in which seven people sadly lost their lives." The governor also extended condolences to the victims' families."I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of all the victims at this time of immense grief. We stand with each and every one of their loved ones." In an official statement, the Federal Emergency Agency said the Bell 412 had been assigned to support emergency operations after completing training activities in San Juan. "The causes of the accident are under investigation." AFE added that it remains in contact with the relevant authorities and will release additional official information as it becomes available. Following the tragedy, Governor Orrego declared three days of official mourning across San Juan Province. State celebrations were suspended, and flags at government buildings were ordered to be flown at half-mast in memory of the victims. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and the investigation is ongoing

Aircraft Crashes

Seven Killed After Bell 412 Helicopter Crashes En Route To Argentina Wildfire Mission

Aviation Today News Desk / July 30, 2026

San Juan Province, Argentina: All seven people aboard a Bell 412 helicopter were killed after the aircraft crashed in Argentina’s

Aircraft Crashes

US Army UH-72 Lakota Crashes In Alabama During Training Flight, Three Survive

Aviation Today News Desk / July 28, 2026

Opp, United States: A US Army UH-72 Lakota helicopter was involved in an aviation mishap Monday afternoon, July 27, it

Aircraft Crashes

Czech Army UH-1Y Venom Crashes At Náměšť Air Base, Killing One Soldier & Injuring Four

Aviation Today News Desk / July 24, 2026

Náměšť nad Oslavou, Czech Republic: A Czech military UH-1Y Venom helicopter crashed at the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base in

Aircraft Crashes

Two Killed, One Injured In Hughes 500 Forestry Helicopter Crash In British Columbia

Aviation Today News Desk / July 16, 2026

Loughborough Inlet, Canada: Two people were killed and another was seriously injured after a Hughes 500 helicopter operating on a

Sitka, United States: A United States Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed during a routine training mission near Sitka, Alaska, on June 22, injuring all four crew members on board and prompting a formal investigation into the accident. The helicopter, assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, went down near Harbor Mountain, a sparsely populated area several miles outside the southeast Alaskan community of Sitka on Baranof Island. The aircraft was conducting a training flight when the crash occurred, according to Coast Guard officials. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center received notification of the crash at approximately 10:07 a.m. local time. Emergency responders, including Sitka Fire and Rescue personnel, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Rescue crews arrived at approximately 11:00 a.m. and evacuated all four crew members to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center for treatment. No fatalities were reported. Initial reports described the extent of the injuries as unknown. However, Coast Guard officials later confirmed that all four crew members survived and sustained minor injuries. “We are incredibly relieved our crew members survived with only minor injuries,” Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District, said in a statement. The Coast Guard identified the aircraft as an MH-60 Jayhawk, the service's primary long-range search-and-rescue helicopter. The helicopter is a military-operated aircraft owned and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and is routinely used for search-and-rescue missions, medical evacuations, law enforcement operations, and training exercises throughout Alaska and other coastal regions. Officials have not released the identities of the four crew members involved in the accident. Petty Officer Ashly Murphy confirmed that the helicopter was conducting a routine training flight at the time of the crash. In its initial statement, the Coast Guard said: “The safety, well-being, and rescue of our crew members is our absolute, immediate priority. The cause of the incident is not yet known. A formal investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the event.” Authorities have not disclosed what led to the crash. There has been no indication of mechanical failure, weather-related factors, operational issues, or human factors, and investigators have not announced any preliminary findings. The accident occurred near Harbor Mountain, a rugged area overlooking Sitka. The region is known for challenging aviation conditions, mountainous terrain, coastal weather systems, fjords, and remote operating environments frequently encountered by Coast Guard aircrews. Following the crash, the Coast Guard said it would conduct a formal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. The incident marks the latest serious aviation accident in the United States during June and comes as federal and military investigators continue examining several other recent aircraft crashes across the country.

Aircraft Crashes

Four Survive After US Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk Crashes Near Sitka During Training

Aviation Today News Desk / June 23, 2026

Sitka, United States: A United States Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed during a routine training mission near Sitka, Alaska,

Helicopter Crash

Seven Killed In Helicopter Crash In Kenya’s Samburu County During Safari Charter Flight

Two US Army Soldiers Killed As Fort Hood-Based Apache Crashes During Training In Texas

Two Pilots Killed As Sikorsky S-64 Crashes Fighting Utah’s Widemouth 2 Fire

Tourist Helicopter Crashes In Rio’s Tijuca National Park, Killing All Four Onboard

Two Killed As Firefighting Helicopters Collide While Battling Greece Wildfire

Seven Killed After Bell 412 Helicopter Crashes En Route To Argentina Wildfire Mission

US Army UH-72 Lakota Crashes In Alabama During Training Flight, Three Survive

Czech Army UH-1Y Venom Crashes At Náměšť Air Base, Killing One Soldier & Injuring Four

Two Killed, One Injured In Hughes 500 Forestry Helicopter Crash In British Columbia

Four Survive After US Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk Crashes Near Sitka During Training

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