Metsovo, Greece – In an incident that nearly resulted in a human tragedy during firefighting operations, a firefighting helicopter crashed into the artificial Lake Oos near the Greek town of Metsovo. Despite the seriousness of the situation, local authorities reported that the two-person crew escaped without serious injuries.
Accident details
The Greek fire service reported that a Bell helicopter, leased by the department, was performing a vital mission in fighting a fire at the Avgou site near Grevena. While the crew was attempting a water-pumping maneuver from Lake Oos to refill the helicopter’s tanks, the aircraft lost balance due to a hard impact with the water’s surface, causing it to sink just 5 meters from the shore.
According to field reports, the crew members—one a Greek national and the other a foreign pilot acting as a courier—demonstrated remarkable quick thinking, managing to escape the cockpit immediately after the helicopter crash and swim safely to shore. Medical sources confirmed that the pilots were in good health and sustained only minor injuries from the impact.
Quick response
The helicopter had taken off earlier from Ioannina Airport to participate in efforts to contain the large fire in Grevina. Immediately after the incident, Civil Defense rescue teams rushed to the lake site to recover the crew and secure the area, confirming everyone’s safety.
This incident comes amid challenging weather conditions in Greece, placing aerial firefighting crews under immense pressure as they carry out their duties in the rugged mountainous terrain.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash to determine whether it was caused by a sudden technical malfunction or human error resulting from the difficulty of maneuvering in adverse weather conditions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the serious risks faced by firefighters and pilots on the front lines protecting forests and property from the raging wildfires that consume vast areas during the summer.
