Plane Crashes In Greece While Fighting Wildfire, Both Pilots Dead: Watch Video

A firefighting plane of the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron has crashed on the Greek Island of Evia during an aerial firefighting operation.

Image: YouTube screengrab

In one of the rare incidents, a firefighting plane crashed while performing aerial firefighting operation on July 25, 2023 and the whole incident was captured on camera. As per local media reports, a firefighting plane belonging to the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron of Greece was in the operation of dousing the fire, while the incident happened. The plane is said to be a Canadair CL-215 (Scooper).

A state ERT TV video showed the bright yellow CL-215 aircraft releasing its load of water on the island of Evia before its wingtip apparently snagged in a tree branch. Moments later it disappeared into a deep fold in the ground from which a fireball erupted.

Firefighting plane crashes on the Greek Island of Evia. It is believed to have had two people on board. Survivors are currently unknown. pic.twitter.com/9ipvOeOsSK — Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) July 25, 2023

The air force said the pilots, aged 34 and 27, both died in the crash. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cancelled a planned visit to Cyprus for Wednesday, and Greece’s armed forces declared three days of mourning.

Greek Air Force officials confirm that a CL-215 of the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron crashed during an aerial firefighting operation in Platanistos. A search and rescue operation is underway for the two Airmen.