During firefighting operations in the Karystos region of Greece during a record year of fires in the region, a Hellenic Air Force Canadair CL-215 crashed today after performing a water drop on a fire in the area. Videos of the incident show that during the bank out after dropping, the aircraft wing struck a treeline breaking part of the right wing off the aircraft. then rolling right before stalling and exploding upon impact with the ground. The Hellenic Air Force has launched a rescue mission in the area.
This post will be updated as more information is gathered from our local news representatives. Video of the crash is available from Greece’s EPT News, viewer discretion is advised.
UPDATE 12:38 EDT: The Hellenic Air Force just announced that both pilots did not survive their injuries in the crash and wish to announce the passing of pilots Cpt. Christos Moulas, 34 and Lt. Periklis Stefanidis, 26. the CL-215 involved in the crash was aircraft 1055. Our thoughts go out to the Hellenic Air Force and the familes of those lost in today’s tragic accident.
