Five people died when two civilian helicopters collided midair near Eura Airport in southwestern Finland on May 17, 2025, police confirmed. The crash occurred shortly after noon near the town of Kauttua, with wreckage falling approximately 700 meters from Ohikulkutie road.
Detective Chief Inspector Johannes Siirila of the National Bureau of Investigation confirmed that “five people died in a helicopter accident near Eura Airport on Saturday.” According to flight plans, three people were aboard one aircraft and two in the other when the collision occurred at 12:35 p.m. local time.
The helicopters had departed from Tallinn, Estonia, and were heading to Piikajarvi Airport in Kokemaki, located about nine miles from Eura airport. Both aircraft were civilian helicopters registered outside Finland, with one registered in Estonia and the other in Austria. The helicopters belonged to Estonian companies, with one owned by NOBE and the other by Eleon.
Emergency responders arrived quickly at the crash site after receiving the alert. The wreckage was located in a wooded area, with the two helicopters found approximately 100 meters apart. Both aircraft were completely destroyed in the collision and subsequent crash.
Media reports identified the helicopters as Robinson R-44 models. One witness, Antti Marjanen, described seeing one helicopter hit the other during a maneuver. He indicated that one aircraft dropped like a stone while the other descended more slowly, and he did not hear any sound during the collision.
The victims included prominent Estonian businessmen Oleg Sõnajalg and Priit Jaagant, along with Jaagant’s wife Lilit. Sõnajalg, 58, was described as a pioneer in wind energy, while Priit Jaagant, 52, served as chairman of construction company Mapri. The company confirmed the deaths of Priit and Lilit Jaagant in an official statement.
The helicopters were reportedly traveling to a hobby aviation event at the Piikajärvi Flight Center, according to the Pori Aviation Club. Flight data from Fintraffic Air Navigation Services indicated both helicopters had flown in parallel from Tallinn and collided at an altitude of 300 meters, suggesting they were not descending at the time of impact.
Finnish rescue officials reported that one helicopter was in flames when it crashed, with smoke from the fire helping rescuers locate the wreckage and subsequently find the second aircraft nearby. The crash site was immediately sealed off by authorities, and roads leading to Eura airport were closed during preliminary investigations.
The National Bureau of Investigation is leading a joint inquiry with local police from the Southwestern Finland Police Department. Finnish and Estonian authorities confirmed they are cooperating closely in the investigation, with Estonian officials providing support to Finnish investigators.
The Safety Investigation Authority is conducting its own separate investigation at the crash site. According to officials, the investigation is focusing on the distance maintained between the two aircraft and their altitude at the moment of collision. The remains of both helicopters have been transported to the city of Turku for detailed examination.
Autopsies of the five victims will take place in Turku as part of the investigation process. Finnish authorities declined to comment on the identities of the deceased during initial statements, though Estonian media later confirmed the names of the victims.
Investigators have not yet determined whether the collision resulted from human error or mechanical malfunction. Tiina Bieber of the Finnish Safety Investigation Authority indicated that determining the cause will require extensive analysis and the complete investigation could take nine months to a year to conclude.
The Finnish Defense Forces confirmed that no military aircraft or personnel were involved in the incident. Earlier in May, the Finnish Rapid Deployment Force had conducted exercises in the Säkylä, Eura, and Kankaanpää areas, which included helicopter operations, but these were unrelated to the civilian crash.
Eura is located in the Satakunta region of western Finland. The airport serves as a regional facility for civilian aviation activities. All five passengers were pronounced dead at the scene when emergency responders arrived.
Estonian Public Broadcasting confirmed that Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working with Finnish authorities to coordinate the investigation and provide consular assistance. The helicopters did not depart from Tallinn Airport, according to airport officials, though their exact departure location in the Estonian capital was not specified.