Five people lost their lives on May 17, 2025, when two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed in a wooded area near Eura Airport in southwestern Finland. The collision occurred shortly after noon local time near the town of Kauttua, with the wreckage falling approximately 700 meters from the Ohikulkutie road.
Detective Chief Inspector Johannes Siirilä of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation confirmed that “Five people have died in a helicopter accident near Eura airport on Saturday.”
According to police reports, the helicopters had taken off from Tallinn, Estonia, and were en route to a hobby aviation event at the Piikajärvi Flight Center in Kokemäki, located approximately 15 kilometers from Eura. One helicopter carried three passengers while the other transported two individuals.
Finnish newspaper Iltalehti interviewed witness Antti Marjanen, who observed one helicopter striking the other during a maneuver. Marjanen noted that one helicopter plummeted rapidly while the other descended more gradually, and he did not hear any sound from the collision.
Martin Noorsalu, an experienced helicopter pilot and flight instructor investigating the incident, explained that a distance of 50 meters between helicopters flying in tandem is typically sufficient for safety. Noorsalu indicated that when flying in formation, pilots must remain aware of the other aircraft’s movements at all times. He added that the investigation would consider multiple potential causes, including technical failure, human error, and external factors such as bird strikes.
Details from the crash site revealed that the helicopters were found approximately 100 meters apart in the forested area. Rescue workers and multiple police patrols were dispatched to the scene after the collision was reported at 12:35 p.m. local time.
Investigation reports show that the helicopters were flying at an altitude of around 300 meters and maintaining a distance of approximately 50 meters when one suddenly changed course, leading to the fatal collision.
The aircraft involved in the accident were identified as Robinson R-44 models, with one registered in Estonia and the other in Austria. Both helicopters belonged to Estonian companies, with one owned by NOBE and the other by Eleon.
The victims were reportedly Estonian business people traveling to the aviation gathering, which was intended to be a day-long event with around 20 aircraft and 50 participants expected to attend.
Finnish authorities have sealed off the area surrounding the crash site as the investigation continues. The remains of both helicopters have been transported to Turku for detailed examination, and autopsies of the deceased are also being conducted there.
The National Bureau of Investigation is leading a joint inquiry with local police into the cause of the collision. Finnish officials have initiated cooperation with their Estonian counterparts to gather additional information about the individuals on board and the pilots’ backgrounds.
Authorities from both countries indicated that the investigation may take up to 12 months to complete as they work to determine whether the cause was human error, a technical malfunction, or a combination of factors.
The Finnish Safety Investigation Authority has begun its work at the crash site and will continue its thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this mid-air collision.
The aviation event at Piikajärvi Flight Center, which the helicopters were headed to, was expected to host approximately 50 aviation enthusiasts and feature around 20 aircraft from various locations.
