Fourteen dead as passenger helicopter crashes off Estonia
{{date|August 10, 2005}}
[[Image:Baltic Sea map.png|thumb|right|180px|Baltic Sea]]
Fourteen people are presumed dead after a passenger helicopter of the [[w:Finland|Finnish]] company [[w:Copterline|Copterline]] crashed into the [[w:Baltic Sea|Baltic Sea]], 5 km off the coast of [[w:Estonia|Estonia]].

After hours of search, the wreck was found with a sonar at a depth of approximately 60 meters. The cabin is damaged but has remained in one piece, and passengers were found dead inside the cabin. Lifting of the wreckage is being planned at the moment.

The [[w:Sikorsky S-76|Sikorsky S-76]] was on a scheduled passenger flight to [[w:Helsinki|Helsinki]] from [[w:Tallinn|Tallinn]], the Estonian capital. The craft came down just three minutes after take-off at 12:43 pm (GMT+3). According to an eyewitness, two loud bangs were heard before the craft crashed down. No smoke or fire were seen after the bangs.

On board were six Finnish, four Estonian and two American passengers as well as two Finnish crew members.
Both of the pilots were experienced, with over 10 years of flight experience in the company.

Estonian rescue helicopters and boats have been sent, a Finnish rescue helicopter and mini submarines also at the scene.

Investigation of the causes of the accident is underway, but one possible reason is the bad weather as the area has been suffering from severe storms recently, the winds at the time are believed to have been 17-20 metres a second. "Many of the helicopters safety measures failed", said the spokesman from Copterline. The safety measures include the ability of the craft to glide down in case of engine failure and the ability to float on water, both of which seemed to have failed. Copterline, one of the largest helicopter airlines in Europe, has cancelled all upcoming flights today, but are continuing as scheduled tomorrow morning.

[http://www.hot.ee/kopterionnetus/ An overview] in Estonian (some pics & timeline)

==Sources==

*{{source|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10702422.htm |title=Helicopter crashes into Baltic with 14 on board |author= |pub=Reuters |date=August 10, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4138170.stm |title=Helicopter crashes in Baltic Sea |author= |pub=BBC |date=August 10, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/article.php?id=10937361 |title=Kopteriõnnetuses hukkus 14 inimest |author= |pub=Delfi |date=August 10, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.postimees.ee/100805/esileht/173829.php |title=Naissaare lähedal kukkus alla kopter  |author= |pub=Postimees |date=August 10, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.minut.ee/article.pl?sid=05/08/10/1110232&mode=nested |title=Copterline'i kopter kukkus Tallinna lähedal merre |author= |pub=Minut |date=August 10, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/10/estonia.copter.ap/ 
|title=Copter down in Baltic, 14 missing 
|author=Associated Press
|pub=CNN News
|date= August 10, 2005 }}

*{{source|url=http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/english/article/1101980551645 
|title=All feared dead after helicopter with 14 aboard crashes in the sea off Estonian coast 
|author=Helsingin Sanomat (International Edition)
|pub=Helsingin Sanomat
|date=August 10, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/tuoreet/artikkeli/1101980550722 
|title=Copterlinen kopteri pudonnut mereen Tallinnan edustalla 
|author=Helsingin Sanomat
|pub=Helsingin Sanomat
|date=August 10, 2005}}

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{{PD-Article}}

[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Estonia]]
[[Category:Finland]]
[[Category:Helsinki]]
[[Category:Baltic Sea]]

[[de:Hubschrauber stürzt mit 14 Personen ins Meer]]
[[it:Cade elicottero in Estonia: 14 dispersi]]
[[pl:14 osób zaginęło w wyniku katastrofy fińskiego helikoptera]]
Baltic Sea
Fourteen people are presumed dead after a passenger helicopter of the Finnish company Copterline crashed into the Baltic Sea, 5 km off the coast of Estonia.

After hours of search, the wreck was found with a sonar at a depth of approximately 60 meters. The cabin is damaged but has remained in one piece, and passengers were found dead inside the cabin. Lifting of the wreckage is being planned at the moment.

The Sikorsky S-76 was on a scheduled passenger flight to Helsinki from Tallinn, the Estonian capital. The craft came down just three minutes after take-off at 12:43 pm (GMT+3). According to an eyewitness, two loud bangs were heard before the craft crashed down. No smoke or fire were seen after the bangs.

On board were six Finnish, four Estonian and two American passengers as well as two Finnish crew members.
Both of the pilots were experienced, with over 10 years of flight experience in the company.

Estonian rescue helicopters and boats have been sent, a Finnish rescue helicopter and mini submarines also at the scene.

Investigation of the causes of the accident is underway, but one possible reason is the bad weather as the area has been suffering from severe storms recently, the winds at the time are believed to have been 17-20 metres a second. "Many of the helicopters safety measures failed", said the spokesman from Copterline. The safety measures include the ability of the craft to glide down in case of engine failure and the ability to float on water, both of which seemed to have failed. Copterline, one of the largest helicopter airlines in Europe, has cancelled all upcoming flights today, but are continuing as scheduled tomorrow morning.

 An overview in Estonian (some pics & timeline)

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de:Hubschrauber stürzt mit 14 Personen ins Meer
it:Cade elicottero in Estonia: 14 dispersi
Disasters and accidents Europe Estonia Finland Helsinki Baltic Sea