Late Tuesday evening, July 22nd, the recovery of the firefighting helicopter that sank after an emergency water landing in the maritime area of Eleusis was completed.
Read: Eleusis: Four possible causes of firefighting helicopter crash – Recovery operation begins
Eleusis: Timeline of the firefighting helicopter crash
With exceptional composure and professionalism bordering on heroism, the three pilots of the firefighting helicopter type Erickson S-64 Air-Crane (“Fire Boss”) prevented a potential tragedy when the aircraft suffered a serious mechanical failure during a firefighting operation in Aspropyrgos.
The incident occurred shortly after 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 22nd, when the helicopter made an emergency water landing in the Bay of Eleusis. Thanks to the immediate and life-saving actions of the crew, all operators safely exited the helicopter, despite the fact that it was flying at very low altitude when the failure occurred.
Watch video of the first moments after the helicopter crash in Eleusis:
Specifically, as announced by the Fire Service, a leased Erickson-type helicopter participating in firefighting operations in Aspropyrgos made an emergency water landing during water collection operations, off the port of Eleusis. Subsequently, searches were conducted by 3 Coast Guard vessels, a tugboat and private boats. The three-member crew (two Americans and one Greek) was recovered safely by a private vessel with a Coast Guard officer aboard, and then by a Coast Guard vessel and transported to Kalympaki, Eleusis. The crew is in good health, and was subsequently transported by ambulance to “Attikon” Hospital.
Eleusis – Georgiadis on helicopter pilots: “All in good health, undergoing precautionary examinations”
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis also provided an update on the health status of the helicopter crew that made the emergency water landing in Eleusis, clarifying that they are undergoing precautionary examinations. “The initial assessments of doctors at the Emergency Department of Attikon Hospital for the three firefighting helicopter pilots who made an emergency water landing in Eleusis, is that their lives are not in danger, they arrived walking and are now undergoing precautionary examinations,” the minister noted on X.
The initial assessments of doctors at the Emergency Department of Attikon Hospital for the three firefighting helicopter pilots who made an emergency water landing in Eleusis, is that their lives are not in danger, they arrived walking and are now undergoing precautionary…
— Άδωνις Γεωργιάδης (@AdonisGeorgiadi) July 22, 2025
Profile of the helicopter that crashed in Eleusis
It should be noted that the helicopter participating in the operation is an Erickson S-64 Air-Crane type, one of the largest and most powerful firefighting helicopters in the world. It can carry up to 10,000 liters of water or fire retardant and operate in particularly difficult conditions. Helicopters of this type are chartered every summer by Civil Protection and are a key tool in aerial firefighting.
View photos:
How tragedy was averted
The pilot managed with complete control to guide the helicopter to calm waters, choosing a safe point in the Bay of Eleusis for the water landing, when they realized there was a problem. The rescue operation was completed quickly, as within just a few minutes of the crash, all three occupants either boarded life rafts or were collected by a Coast Guard vessel.
Immediately after the water landing, search and rescue protocols were activated. Coast Guard vessels and a search helicopter rushed to the area. The operators were safely transported for precautionary medical examinations, while the helicopter has been located and its recovery is awaited. The Air Force General Staff and Civil Aviation Service will conduct a full investigation into the causes of the incident.
