Burning Apache crash at Megara

The two pilots of the brand new Apache (AH-64D) offensive helicopter have managed to land it literally at the last minute and get away from it to safety.

According to what became known around midnight Monday, during a scheduled night flight, one of the Apaches that were acquired by our Military Air Force suffered mechanical failure east of Megara.

As reported in a press release issued by the Army General Staff “according to the assessment of the pilot, a fire broke out in the helicopter”. Besides the information on mechanical failure and fire, further details are not yet known about the circumstances of the accident.

The helicopter was completely destroyed. General Staff officers are conducting all the appropriate investigations.

The accident that occurred late Monday in Megara is the second one relating to the fleet of the twelve Apaches that were acquired in September 2009 and were put into action by the Military Air Force in February 2010. Thus, within fourteen months, the army has been left with ten AH-64D helicopters.

Please note that the accident of July 30, 2010, again in Megara, claimed the lives of two pilots.

And while the military leadership is called upon to answer the question as to why the Apaches are crashing, it is worth noting that the delivery of twelve Apaches had been delayed for various reasons. However, problems were caused by their long storage, such as the fact that rodents had chewed off the wiring of some of the helicopters.

A second accident occurred Monday on a warship. During a call, the missile-bearing ship BLESSAS crashed on the Syros pier. According to the Navy General Staff “the impact caused a 1,70m distortion along the length of the metal sheet above sea level”. An official announcement dismisses all issues regarding the safety of staff aboard the warship.