A fifth military member of the GNR’s Emergency Protection and Rescue Unit (UEPC), who was returning from fighting a fire in Baião, remains missing, while the pilot managed to survive with injuries and was hospitalized.
According to available data, this accident is the most serious and has caused the most deaths involving firefighting resources.
The ten accidents involving firefighting resources recorded in Portugal since 2009 have caused the death of four pilots. Today’s accident, with an AS350 — Écureuil, resulted in four deaths and one missing person, with searches continuing to find the body.
Chronology of major accidents and incidents involving firefighting aircraft since January 1, 2009:
2024:
August 30, Lamego, Viseu district: A helicopter that landed on the Douro River caused the death of four GNR/UEPS military personnel returning from a fire in Baião, with a fifth still missing.
2022:
July 7, Foz Coa, Guarda district: A “Fire Boss” amphibious firefighting plane crashed in Castelo Melhor, Foz Coa. The pilot died in the crash.
2020:
August 8, Lindoso, Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo district: A heavy amphibious aircraft (Canadair CL215) crashed in Lindoso while fighting a fire in Serra do Gerês, causing one death and one serious injury. On September 21, the co-pilot involved in this accident died.
2019:
September 5, Sobrado, Valongo, Porto district: An AS350-B2 helicopter collided with power lines and crashed while fighting a fire in Sobrado, killing pilot Noel Ferreira, 36, also an Air Force pilot and commander of the Cete Volunteer Firefighters in Paredes.
September 4, Pampilhosa da Serra, Coimbra district: A helicopter was partially destroyed after crashing during takeoff to fight a fire in Castelo Branco district. The accident was due to pilot error.
July 3, Castelo de Bode dam: A light firefighting aircraft was destroyed while refueling water at the Castelo de Bode dam. The accident was due to the pilot not retracting the landing gear.
2017:
August 20, Cabril, Castro Daire: An Everjets helicopter crashed, killing the pilot, while fighting a forest fire.
2015:
August 8, Arcos de Valdevez: A light firefighting helicopter crashed when returning from a fire, injuring two people.
June 29, Paços de Ferreira: A light Civil Protection helicopter crashed while refueling water to fight a fire, injuring the pilot.
2012:
September 3, Ourém: A firefighting helicopter crash injured two people slightly.
July 19, Beja: An amphibious aircraft made an emergency landing in the Roxo reservoir due to a technical failure, with no casualties.
2009:
August 12, Fundão: A firefighting plane made an emergency landing in Ferreiras. Both crew members were unharmed.
Sources: Lusa Agency and the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF).
