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26 July 2024
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Firefighting helicopter crashes in Italy
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A Erickson S-64F Skycrane (reg. I-CFAG) helicopter, returning from a forest firefighting operation, crashed on landing at the Reggio Calabria Airport at 15h40 on Monday, 22 July 2024. The rotorcraft had returned to the airport after helping to fight a wildfire near the town of Reggio Calabria.
The pilots were rescued from the aircraft, which was on fire and were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation.
The crash caused the closure of Reggio Calabria Airport, near Sicily, Italy. Inbound flights were diverted to other airports.
It’s currently believed the accident was caused by a mechanical failure, which the pilots had noticed in time.
The Erickson S-64F Skycrane is a highly specialized heavy-lift helicopter designed for a variety of tasks, including firefighting, logging, and construction. Originally developed by Sikorsky as the S-64, it was later acquired by Erickson Inc, which has continued to produce and enhance the helicopter. The Skycrane is particularly renowned for its impressive lifting capacity and versatility. Equipped with a powerful firefighting system, it can carry large volumes of water or fire retardant, making it an invaluable asset in combating wildfires.
An investigation is underway to determine the true cause of the crash.
Calabria president Roberto Occhiuto, “Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the two firefighters involved in a frightening incident near Reggio Calabria Airport. The helicopter they were using to tackle the fires currently raging in Calabria and other regions of Italy was affected by the accident. I want to thank once again all the workers who are dedicating themselves with great determination and professionalism, sometimes risking their own lives, to protect the environment and fight against the scourge of fires.”
Sources: Vigili del Fuoco, Flight Safety, itamilradar
The pilots were rescued from the aircraft, which was on fire and were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation.
The crash caused the closure of Reggio Calabria Airport, near Sicily, Italy. Inbound flights were diverted to other airports.
It’s currently believed the accident was caused by a mechanical failure, which the pilots had noticed in time.
The Erickson S-64F Skycrane is a highly specialized heavy-lift helicopter designed for a variety of tasks, including firefighting, logging, and construction. Originally developed by Sikorsky as the S-64, it was later acquired by Erickson Inc, which has continued to produce and enhance the helicopter. The Skycrane is particularly renowned for its impressive lifting capacity and versatility. Equipped with a powerful firefighting system, it can carry large volumes of water or fire retardant, making it an invaluable asset in combating wildfires.
An investigation is underway to determine the true cause of the crash.
Calabria president Roberto Occhiuto, “Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the two firefighters involved in a frightening incident near Reggio Calabria Airport. The helicopter they were using to tackle the fires currently raging in Calabria and other regions of Italy was affected by the accident. I want to thank once again all the workers who are dedicating themselves with great determination and professionalism, sometimes risking their own lives, to protect the environment and fight against the scourge of fires.”
Sources: Vigili del Fuoco, Flight Safety, itamilradar