Greek Investigators Probe Wreckage, Communications in Fatal Psatha Helicopter Collision

Greece's Organized Crime Directorate is leading an investigation into the deadly collision of two firefighting helicopters near Psatha, drawing on expertise gained from the 2005 Helios Airways crash and other past aviation accidents, authorities said.

A helicopter pilot expert and an aeronautical engineer from the army's air force are expected to be appointed to examine

According to reports, both helicopters involved had been converted for firefighting use after previously serving as personnel transport aircraft.

Greece's National Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Authority (EODASAAM) will compile a separate safety report aimed at preventing similar accidents, which will be incorporated into the broader case file being assembled by Greece's Organized Crime Directorate, often referred to as the country's "FBI."

The directorate will handle the preliminary criminal investigation independently of EODASAAM's safety findings.

Investigators have secured the crash site while the technical examination proceeds; helicopter wreckage will then be moved to a covered facility for analysis by EODASAAM.

Authorities are expected to take statements from all relevant parties, including the aerial coordinator overseeing firefighting aircraft above the fire front, staff from the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management, the two surviving crew members, and technicians responsible for maintaining the helicopters.

Recorded communications with the operations center will also be analyzed as part of the investigation.

The collision killed a Danish pilot and a Greek flight coordinator-translator. Family members of the Danish pilot have described him as "so talented and beloved," according to recent reports.

By Katia Niakari

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Greece's Organized Crime Directorate is leading an investigation into the deadly collision of two firefighting helicopters near Psatha, drawing on expertise gained from the 2005 Helios Airways crash and other past aviation accidents, authorities said.

A helicopter pilot expert and an aeronautical engineer from the army's air force are expected to be appointed to examine the causes of the crash.

According to reports, both helicopters involved had been converted for firefighting use after previously serving as personnel transport aircraft.

Greece's National Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Authority (EODASAAM) will compile a separate safety report aimed at preventing similar accidents, which will be incorporated into the broader case file being assembled by Greece's Organized Crime Directorate, often referred to as the country's "FBI."

The directorate will handle the preliminary criminal investigation independently of EODASAAM's safety findings.

Investigators have secured the crash site while the technical examination proceeds; helicopter wreckage will then be moved to a covered facility for analysis by EODASAAM.

Authorities are expected to take statements from all relevant parties, including the aerial coordinator overseeing firefighting aircraft above the fire front, staff from the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management, the two surviving crew members, and technicians responsible for maintaining the helicopters.

Recorded communications with the operations center will also be analyzed as part of the investigation.

The collision killed a Danish pilot and a Greek flight coordinator-translator. Family members of the Danish pilot have described him as "so talented and beloved," according to recent reports.

By Katia Niakari

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr