Fatal Mid-Air Collision in Finland Claims Five Lives: Business Helicopters Crash Near Eura
May 17, 2025
A tragic mid-air collision between two private helicopters in southwestern Finland has resulted in the deaths of five individuals, authorities confirmed. The accident occurred around midday on Saturday near the town of Kauttua, close to the Eura airport, in a remote forested area.
Business Flight Turns Tragic
According to Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the helicopters were carrying business passengers and had reportedly departed from Estonia earlier that day. One aircraft carried three individuals, while the other carried two. All five occupants perished in the crash.
The collision took place at a relatively low altitude, and debris from the aircraft was discovered approximately 700 meters from Ohikulkutie road, a key route in the region. The wreckage was scattered across a heavily wooded area, making rescue and recovery efforts challenging.
Detective Chief Inspector Johannes Siirilä of the NBI confirmed the fatalities in a public statement: “Five people have died in a helicopter accident near Eura airport on Saturday. A full investigation is underway to determine the cause.”
Witness Accounts and Eyewitness Shock
Local eyewitness Antti Marjanen described the harrowing moment he saw the incident unfold in the skies above. Speaking to the Finnish daily Iltalehti, Marjanen recounted: “One of the helicopters suddenly struck the other during a maneuver. One fell straight down like a stone, while the other descended more slowly. There was no sound—just the visual horror of it.”
Ownership and Route
Estonian media, citing Helsingin Sanomat, reported that one of the helicopters was registered in Estonia and the other in Austria. Despite the differing registrations, both aircraft were owned by Estonian companies. One belonged to NOBE, a construction and engineering firm, and the other to Eleon, a renewable energy company known for its wind power initiatives.
Preliminary reports suggest the helicopters were en route to a private aviation event organized by the Pori Aviation Club, a well-known hobbyist group in Finland.
Multinational Investigation Launched
Given the cross-border nature of the incident—Estonian-registered helicopters crashing on Finnish soil—the investigation is being conducted collaboratively by Finnish and Estonian authorities. The NBI is leading the inquiry in partnership with local police and aviation safety experts.
Both national governments have pledged full cooperation and transparency. Aviation safety teams are now focused on analyzing black box data, flight plans, and maintenance records to determine whether pilot error, technical malfunction, or other factors contributed to the disaster.
Broader Implications for Business Aviation
This incident casts a renewed spotlight on the safety protocols surrounding private and corporate helicopter travel across Europe. As helicopter usage increases for business commutes and leisure activities, particularly across the Baltic and Nordic regions, questions are being raised about airspace management, pilot training, and emergency preparedness.
Aviation analysts note that mid-air collisions involving helicopters are rare but typically fatal due to the limited reaction time and low altitude involved. The outcome of this investigation could influence future regulations for business aviation corridors in the EU.
Saturday’s tragic crash has sent shockwaves through both Finland and Estonia’s aviation communities. As investigators work to uncover the causes, families of the victims and the broader public await answers.