Two killed when firefighting helicopter crashes near Greek island

Mi-8 helicopter
Example of an Mi-8 helicopter of the Croation Air Force at Lucko Airbase, September, 2007. Photo by Suradnik13.

A firefighting helicopter has crashed in Greece while working on a wildfire  on the island of Samos. The Greek coastguard said the aircraft was carrying four people when it went down in the Aegean Sea on Wednesday afternoon.

Two crew members were found unconscious and were later confirmed to have died. The two others were rescued alive by authorities.

The aircraft involved is believed to be a Soviet-era Mi-8 helicopter, leased for firefighting operations from Ukraine.

Red areas represent heat from fires on Greek island of Samos, July 13, 2022.

A total of three helicopters and five fixed wing aircraft had been mobilized to help firefighters on Samos, according to the Greek Fire Service.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of the deceased.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Paula.

MIL-8 MTV helicopter filmed in Australia

MIL-8 helicopter
The MIL-8 or Mi-8 helicopter operated by Hevilift. Screenshot from the video.

The video below published January 10, 2020 features a  helicopter operated by Hevilift that was becoming available to help firefighters in Australia.

The on scene reporter said the helicopter can carry 5,000 liters (1,300 gallons), which is half of the capacity of an Air-Crane helicopter. Large and very large air tankers can carry 3,000 to 19,000 gallons.

The MIL-8 MTV did not extract the UH-1H helicopter that earlier ditched into a lake, as stated in the video. The Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Army pulled it out of the water.