Canadair firefighting plane crashed into a ravine while working on the fire in his area Platanistos in Karystos. A helicopter rushed to the scene. A fire broke out after the fall. The condition of the two operators, who are Greek pilots, is unknown.

From the first moment, a search and rescue operation has been underway by the Defense General Staff. At this time, a fire engine has already reached the spot and is acting, which was next to the area and was operating. It is noted that canadairs do not have an emergency seat ejection system.

The canadair that crashed in Karystos was based in the 112th Fighter Wing in Elefsina.

Watch video-documentary of the moment the firefighting plane crashed, showing the plane tilting and one wing hitting a rock before crashing:

The area where communication with Canadair was lost is inaccessible and an investigation has already begun to locate it of. The aircraft went down just seconds after dropping water on the fire front.

The condition of the two Greek pilots is not known.

The official announcement of the General Air Staff

Crash of Aircraft CL-215

Her Tuesday, July 25, 2023 and at 14:52 a CL-215 aircraft, with a crew of two Airmen, of the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112th Fighter Wing, crashed during aerial fire fighting in Platanistos, Evia.

An investigation is underway – rescue for the two Flyers. 1 Super Puma helicopter and 1 AB-205 helicopter of the Air Force, as well as 1 S-70 helicopter of the Navy have rushed to the area.

Commander (I) Sotirios Maggotsios
GEA Press Representative

The type of aircraft that went down

CL-215 is the type of Canadair that crashed while fighting a fire in Karystos. The first CL-215s entered the air force in December 1975 with the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron based at the 112th Fighter Wing at Elefsina Air Base.

The first CL-215 landing on Greek soil took place on May 26, 1977 in the Isthmus of Corinth where its operators lost their lives.