Accidents
Two Killed in Greek Helicopter Midair Collision
A pair of Bell 412STs collided while fighting fires near Athens
Bell 412ST helicopters
McDermott Aviation has provided Bell 412ST helicopters to support firefighting missions in Greece.

Greek aviation officials are closely monitoring ongoing aerial firefighting missions after a pair of Bell 214ST helicopters had a fatal midair collision on Sunday afternoon. A Danish pilot and a liaison officer from the Greek fire service were killed when the rotorcraft crashed in Attica, west of the capital (Athens), and a British pilot and another firefighter are being treated in a hospital for minor injuries after landing in rough terrain.

The rotorcraft are owned by Australian air services group McDermott Aviation and have been operating under contract to Greek authorities from the Elefsis (or Elefsina) Air Base. Following the accident, Greek officials grounded Bell 214s but have allowed other helicopters and airplanes to continue firefighting missions when possible during windy conditions that have spread wildfires across large areas of the country.