Disasters & Incidents
Sifnos helicopter crash may stem from rotor fault
Greece’s civil aviation authority said Tuesday that a possible tail rotor malfunction may have caused a private Bell 206 helicopter crash on Sifnos that killed three people.
The helicopter crashed Monday near homes on the Cyclades island shortly before it was due to land at a local helipad. Greek TV footage showed the helicopter on a landing approach over a hillside before it stalled in mid-air, spun on its axis and fell.
The fire service had said three people were killed. British media identified two British newlyweds as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, and identified the operator as former Greek army pilot Giorgos Raikos.
“From a preliminary evaluation of the available material, there are signs of a possible malfunction in the performance of the helicopter's tail rotor,” Greece’s civil aviation authority said.
The authority called on all Greek operators using Bell 206 helicopters to inspect tail rotors and tail rotor drive systems before any takeoff. Greece’s national agency on aviation and transportation safety is investigating the accident.
Update
Greece’s civil aviation authority said a possible tail rotor malfunction may have caused the crash.
The aircraft was identified as a private Bell 206 helicopter.
The authority called on Greek Bell 206 operators to inspect tail rotors and tail rotor drive systems before takeoff.
British media identified the two British newlyweds as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert and the operator as former Greek army pilot Giorgos Raikos.
The crash is being investigated by Greece’s national agency on aviation and transportation safety.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 15:06:53 UTC.
Update
The Greek fire service said the crash triggered an alarm heard across Sifnos.
Earlier in August, two hired Bell helicopters deployed to fight a wildfire west of Athens collided in the air, killing the two-man crew on one aircraft.
Source note: AFP news report published on 17 August 2026 at 17:24:53 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The cause of the crash remains preliminary and under investigation.
Kathimerini had reported that the helicopter came down in the sea seconds after takeoff, while Greece’s civil aviation authority said it crashed near homes shortly before landing.
Source
AFP news report published on .