Fatal aircraft crash during firefighting mission near Patras (1064)

What happened

During an aerial firefighting operation in the vicinity of Patras, an aircraft crashed into hilly terrain, resulting in a post-impact fire. The incident occurred while the crew was performing a mission intended to combat regional fires. Prior to the crash, the aircraft had been engaged in a scooping maneuver, a process used to collect water from a surface. Following this maneuver, the aircraft experienced significant control difficulties. The impact with the ground was severe enough to cause the vessel to burst into flames.

Findings

• The aircraft was operating in a firefighting capacity at the time of the accident.
• The crew encountered control problems immediately following a water-scooping phase.
• The accident resulted in 2 fatalities, as both pilots on board were killed in the crash.