Two Helicopters Collide Mid-Air In Finland, All People Onboard Killed

Helsinki: A deadly mid-air collision between two helicopters in Southwest Finland has left all five people onboard dead on Saturday. The chopper crash involved two private helicopters, both Robinson R44 models, which collided in mid-air and crashed into a forested area near Eura. The victims included well-known Estonian businessman Oleg Sonajalg, who was also a pilot. On information, the local police and other rescue teams have rushed to the spot and initiated a rescue operation. According to reports, the two helicopters collided in mid-air, resulting in a catastrophic crash that left debris scattered across a wide area. 

The Finnish police have confirmed that five fatalities have occurred during the crash. The Finnish authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with a team of experts reached the crash site to collect evidence. The investigation is expected to focus on a range of factors, including pilot error, mechanical failure, and air traffic control protocols. 

According to reports, the helicopters had departed from Tallinn on Saturday morning, heading to an aviation event at the Piikajarvi Airfield in Kokemaki, organised by a local flying club. According to the Finnish police and Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the helicopters collided shortly after midday and crashed into a forested area, with the wreckage found about 100 mts apart. The preliminary data from flight tracking services show that the aircraft flew in close formation for most of the journey, before disappearing from radar near Eura Airfield at around 12.30 pm.

Reports also suggested that the locals confirmed of seeing the helicopters fly close together before one abruptly shifted direction and struck the other. Antti Marjanen, a local resident who contacted emergency services after seeing the collision, described the moment, saying, "One of them dropped like a stone." 

The emergency crews reached the scene quickly, and one of the helicopters was found to have caught fire on impact. The rescue teams used the smoke to locate the site and soon discovered the second helicopter nearby.

The Finnish Defence Forces assisted in securing the area, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is leading the inquiry into the cause of the crash. The police confirmed that there were two people aboard one aircraft and three in the other. The identities of both pilots are known, but officials are still verifying the identities of the passengers. Oleg Sonajalg (58), a well-known Estonian entrepreneur in the wind power sector, was one of the victims. He was also known for travelling frequently between the mainland and his home on the island of Saaremaa by helicopter and typically piloted his own aircraft.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the cause of the collision. 

Further details regarding the helicopters crash are awaited.