Firefighting Helicopter Crashes Into Lake During Water Refill in France, Crew Escapes Unharmed
A firefighting helicopter in France narrowly avoided disaster when it crashed into Rosporden Lake during a water refill operation while combating wildfires near Beuzec-Cap-Sizun. The incident occurred Monday night as the aircraft, a Morane 29 water bomber, attempted to refill water to fight flames threatening a nearby home.
Authorities said the helicopter, which had already completed 27 successful water drops that day, descended too quickly during the maneuver. Its tail struck the water, causing the aircraft to spin out of control before plunging into the lake. A video circulating online captured the dramatic moments leading up to the crash.
Miraculously, both the pilot and the firefighter on board escaped uninjured, swimming safely to shore. Witnesses described the scene as terrifying, with one stating, “It dipped way too low and was descending fast. I thought it was going to explode.”
Local authorities stressed the dangers firefighters face during wildfire suppression. “This accident reminds us that every day, firefighters in Finistère, and those who work alongside them, risk their lives to save people and protect property,” the prefecture said.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, but firefighting operations have continued without interruption, with another helicopter deployed to aid in controlling the fires during France’s peak wildfire season.
