L2025-01 Aviation Accident near Eura Aerodrome on May 17, 2025

06.10.2026

Two helicopters departed Linnahall heliport, Tallinn, Estonia, for Piikajärvi aerodrome, Finland, at 1117. During the en-route portion of the flight, conducted on an identical track, they collided about 200 m above ground level near Eura aerodrome at 1234 sustaining substantial damage and descended to an impact with ground. All five helicopter occupants sustained fatal injuries.

Debris was scattered over a large area in a forested terrain north of the aerodrome. One of the accident helicopters was destroyed by post-impact fire. Investigation revealed no technical fault that could have caused the accident. On-board emergency locator transmitters did not activate. Weather conditions and visibility were good for flying and visual observation.

The helicopters proceeded on an identical track toward the destination with relatively small separation while the relative position of the helicopters varied during the flight. A position change occurred just before reaching Eura aerodrome when one of the pilots initiated a turn in the direction of Piikajärvi aerodrome. The helicopters closed in on each other at an angle that hampered the pilots’ ability to observe maneuvers of the other aircraft, and they were unaware of each other’s intentions when overhead Eura aerodrome immediately before the collision.

The helicopters proceeded in a formation-like arrangement. Formation flying and other such flight modes involve a collision risk. Formation flying is defined as an action by two or more aircraft with separation not exceeding one kilometer from the flight leader. Formation flight procedures are agreed on before flight and they are carefully adhered to in order to avoid collisions.

The Safety Investigation Authority, Finland issues the following two safety recommendations in order to promote general safety:

1. The European Union Aviation Safety Authority undertakes safety promotion activities to increase the knowledge and awareness of formation flying in general aviation, and its related accident risks as well as collision prevention procedures.
2. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency ensures that new emergency locator transmitters meet the requirements of ETSO-C126c at the minimum.

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