A plane CL-215, made by Canadian manufacturer Canadair has crashed this afternoon, while fighting the wildfires in Evia Island, Greece.
The crash occurred shortly before 3 PM, local time, near the village of Platanistos, during a waterbombing operation. The airplane has been operated by the Hellenic Air Force.
According to the Hellenic Military, the aircraft belonged to the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112th Fighter Wing and was operated by a crew of two pilots. The faith of the crew members is unknown at this point. A search and rescue operation, conducted by Greek Emergency Situation Directorate, together with specialists from Greek Air Accident Investigation & Aviation Safety Board is underway.
However, there are small chances to find one or both pilots alive, as the aircraft burst into flames right after the crash. A video showing the crash moments can be seen here.
Update – Greek investigators from Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board has confirmed this evening that both the captain and the first officer of the aircraft crashed this afternoon in Evia Island of Greece are confirmed dead.
Accident investigation is ongoing.
Picture courtesy of Simple Flying magazine
