New details are coming to light regarding the accident on August 2, when two helicopters collided in midair in the Psatha area, while they were working to extinguish the major wildfire that had ravaged areas from Boeotia to Western Attica.
According to information emerging from the preliminary investigation, which is being handled by the Organized Crime Division, authorities have already taken at least 15 statements. Among those summoned to testify are military staff, firefighters, and local residents, while both the British pilot of one of the helicopters and the Greek interpreter who was on board the same aircraft have given testimony.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
That particular helicopter managed to land safely after the collision.
They had no visual contact
According to their statements, the British pilot and the Greek interpreter claim that they had no visual contact with the helicopter they ultimately collided with.
As they reportedly stated, at the moment of impact, they believed they had likely snagged power lines. At the same time, they claimed that they were following another helicopter flying ahead of them and that they were operating as part of a formation.
The crucial question the authorities must now answer is whether and when the crews were informed of the presence of the third helicopter in that formation.
According to the same information, there is a report that the third helicopter had informed the larger formation that it was in the area. However, it has not been clarified exactly when this notification was made and, more importantly, whether it reached the pilots of the two helicopters that ultimately collided.
The Critical 15 Minutes
The investigation appears to be focusing particularly on the approximately 15-minute period leading up to the collision.
During this period, the ground coordinator—who is reportedly a high-ranking fire department officer— had to withdraw from the coordination process due to the fire flaring up on the ground.
Coordination reportedly shifted to an air coordinator, who was in a helicopter. However, according to the information being reviewed, the aerial coordinator was not in the Psatha area either, but several kilometers away, in the Fyli area.
This detail is being examined to determine whether it affected the picture available at that time regarding the movements and positions of the helicopters operating in the area.
Audio recordings under scrutiny
Authorities have now turned their attention to the audio recordings and the recorded conversations between command staff and helicopter crews.
The goal is to determine exactly what was said before the collision, what instructions were given, whether there were any warnings about the presence of other helicopters, and whether there was any breakdown in communication or coordination among the aircraft.
Meanwhile, the helicopter wreckage has been transported to Tatoi, where it is expected to be examined by experts and forensic investigators.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities attempting to piece together, minute by minute, the situation in the air prior to the fatal collision and to determine whether there were any errors or omissions in the coordination of the aerial.
Source: ERT
