The relevant authorities are closely examining the final minutes—and especially the final seconds—of the flight of the helicopter that crashed on Sifnos, resulting in the loss of three lives.
The accident occurred in the Tholos area, near the heliport, when the helicopter, just a few meters before its scheduled landing, appears to have lost control. The crash caused a powerful explosion, and the helicopter was engulfed in flames.
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The victims are the 55-year-old pilot, of Greek descent, and a newlywed British couple, who had chartered the helicopter to travel to Sifnos for their honeymoon.
The video footage
Video footage that has been made available to the authorities is of particular importance to the investigation. The footage shows the helicopter not moving smoothly through the air, spinning, and gradually losing altitude until it crashed to the ground, very close to where it was supposed to land.
Authorities are now working to accurately reconstruct the flight path and determine what happened during those final critical seconds.
The flight had departed from the wider Markopoulo area, and according to information available so far, the pilot had informed the relevant authority that he was preparing to land. However, there was radio silence for a few seconds.
At the same time, residents near the heliport reported hearing an unusual noise coming from the helicopter. These accounts are being examined as part of the investigation, as they may provide clues about the helicopter’s condition shortly before the crash.
SEE ALSO: Tragedy in Sifnos: Newlyweds from Britain and the Greek pilot were the victims
The possibility of a mechanical failure is being investigated
One of the key questions authorities must answer is whether there was a mechanical failure or if the crash was caused by human error.
The possibility of a mechanical failure cannot be ruled out; however, the final answer is expected from the investigation by the competent aviation accident investigation authority. All available evidence will be examined in order to draft the relevant report, which will be forwarded to the competent prosecutorial authorities.
The weather conditions prevailing on Sifnos at the time of the accident are also considered a key factor. According to the information available so far, at approximately 6:17 p.m., when the Fire Department was notified of the crash, there were no strong winds in the area and weather conditions were good.
SEE ALSO: VIDEO: Alarm in Greece after a private helicopter crash on Sifnos
Experienced Pilot
The 55-year-old pilot is described by colleagues in his professional circle as highly experienced, with thousands of flight hours. He had previously served in the Armed Forces and, after his discharge, continued his career as a helicopter pilot.
At the same time, authorities are seeking information regarding his last communication with the Control Center. It is particularly important to determine whether, during that communication, there was any mention of a problem or malfunction with the helicopter.
The operation at the scene
The crash occurred very close to residential areas, a fact that is particularly concerning, as there was a risk of additional casualties.
The Fire Department arrived immediately at the scene with two firefighters and one vehicle and proceeded to extinguish the fire. At the same time, police forces established a security perimeter to facilitate the work of the firefighters and other emergency crews.
A medical examiner also arrived at the scene, though initially there was no clear information regarding the number of people on board. It was later confirmed, however, that a total of three people were on board the helicopter, all of whom lost their lives.
The investigation is ongoing with the aim of determining the causes of the tragedy and clarifying exactly what happened in the final critical seconds before the crash.
Source: Ertnews.gr
