Canada plane crashes in Caristo – both pilots dead

Last updated: 18:27

Two pilots of Canada plane that crashed in Caristo have been recovered.

A CL-215 aircraft with two airmen of the 112th Fighter Wing’s 355th Tactical Transport Squadron was downed during an aerial firefight at Platanistos Evia at 15:05.

In a statement released by the Air Force General Staff, they said:

“On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 14:52, a CL-215 aircraft of the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112th Fighter Wing crashed at Evia Platanistos during an aerial firefight. os Menagu (I) Pericles Stefanidis, 27 years old.”

At the same time, according to the decision of the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dentias, “three days of mourning are declared in the armed forces (from July 25 to 27, 2023) for the loss of life of air force officers and operators of fire-fighting aircraft operating in CL-215”.

How did it go down? Canada

The aircraft sank after shedding water and while trying to raise it, its right wing seems to have hit a tree, resulting in a loss of support and it fell into a ravine on fire.

It should be noted that Canada does not have an emergency seat ejection system.

At the scene of the accident, which is difficult to access, firefighters and police officers were immediately dispatched to approach Canada. Also, Super Puma helicopters and Air Force AB-205 helicopters and Navy S-70 helicopters have been rushed to the area.

The Canadian aircraft, which was an old-tech CL-215, belonged to the Greece Fire Brigade, not international aid, and took off from Nea Agialos Volos just before 12:00.

Mrs. Mitsotakis: Words are poor to describe the national grief

“The government respectfully supports the families of the two heroes. They are two children, two brothers for all of us,” stressed Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management for the loss of the Canadair firefighter pilots in Krystos.

Report Details:

“Today, we Greeks mourn the tragic death of our pilots Christos Moulas and Pericles Stephanidis in Evia. They gave their lives, saving lives. It proves how dangerous their daily tasks in fighting fires are. But how great the self-sacrifice of the front fighters.

Government stands with respect to the families of both the heroes. They are two children, two brothers to all of us. Words are poor to describe the national grief for their loss. So, we grit our teeth and turn silence into strength. In their memory, we continue the war against the destructive forces of nature.

N. Dentias: Deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the pilots

In Evia, Minister of National Defense Nicos Dentias said of the loss of life of the pilots of the CL-215 firefighting aircraft:

“The loss of Air Force officers and firefighting aircraft operators, in the line of duty and in their efforts to protect the lives and property of citizens and our nation’s environment, is deeply regrettable.

Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues and we offer them our sincere condolences.

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