The cause of the helicopter crash on the Greek island of Sifnos on 18 August—resulting in the deaths of three people—remains unknown. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have placed under scrutiny a prior incident involving the same aircraft on the island of Paros on 1 June.
Paros Incident: Improper Rotor Securing
During the summer, the helicopter had conducted flights to Paros amid unusually strong winds. While stationed there, its main rotor was secured and immobilized using straps to prevent rotation. However, when the aircraft was subsequently returned to service by the pilot at the time, not all straps were removed from the rotor assembly. According to available information, upon activation of the main rotor, the remaining straps struck the rear section of the helicopter.
Immediately after the incident, the operator suspended operations and grounded the aircraft for mandatory maintenance. Approximately one month later, on 2 July, the helicopter underwent a technical inspection by a certified maintenance company. Following completion of required procedures, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority issued an airworthiness certificate, permitting the aircraft to resume operational use.
Link to Sifnos Crash Under Review
This earlier event has now been incorporated into the broader investigation into the Sifnos tragedy. From the outset, representatives of the operating company were dispatched to the island, and aviation accident experts from the Hellenic Air Accident Investigation & Prevention Branch have also provided testimony.
A special expert committee formed by the Hellenic Police is scheduled to visit Sifnos on Monday, 24 August 2026, to conduct an on-site forensic examination of the crash location. Later that week, wreckage recovery is set to begin; the debris will be transported to Athens for comprehensive technical analysis.
Authorities are actively assessing whether any connection exists between the Paros incident and the fatal crash on Sifnos. Among other lines of inquiry, investigators are examining whether damage or stress may have occurred to components of the tail rotor system during the Paros event—an issue potentially missed during the subsequent technical inspection.
Investigators continue exploring all possible avenues. To date, however, no evidence has emerged confirming a causal link between the two incidents.