As horrible news stories go, few could compare with what happened on a Greek holiday island Monday.
Two British newlyweds, Alexander Cromie, 31, and Marie Ebert, 30, were traveling from the Greek mainland to the island of Sifnos and had elected to splurge on bespoke travel by helicopter. It was just the two of them, both high achievers with flourishing early careers at Blackstone and Bain & Company, and the Bell 206’s pilot, Giorgos Raikos.
Alas, they never made it to the island. The helicopter slammed into the ground, killing all three in a fiery crash. An investigation is underway.
So is the familial grief.
Wednesday, hard upon the accident in Greece, another tourist helicopter crashed in Kenya’s remote Samburu County, killing seven. All, save the pilot, reportedly were tourists who had been visiting the Suyian wildlife sanctuary. That was not the first time international tourists had been killed in a Kenyan helicopter crash.
Closer to home, we recall the terrible crash last year in New York’s Hudson River that killed the pilot and an entire family of Spanish tourists, including three children. You may recall the happy picture that circulated in the media of the family before their fun sightseeing trip.
Accidents happen, of course, sometimes in strikingly close proximity. Helicopters are vital tools when it comes to military operations and air rescues. And we don’t doubt that there are many diligent, safety-conscious operators of helicopters that serve tourists.
But the events of this week alone are enough to give us pause about getting on one, especially if there is another choice of transportation to a popular destination. At the least, we would be checking for strong safety and maintenance records and a well-trained pilot. We would like to know the age of the helicopter and would want to be sure of its airworthiness.
Watching the film of the honeymooners’ seemingly fragile conveyance fall out of the sky and drop like a bird is deeply upsetting. Not least because they were just arriving at their honeymoon destination, a time of great happiness. Our condolences to the couple’s families, and that of the pilot.
In the U.S., the excellent National Transportation Safety Board investigates helicopter accidents as it does other such incidents. Abroad, such as in Greece, local authorities do the same.
But here is a timely reminder there are lots of ways in these final weeks of summer of making it to a secluded vacation place: by boat, car, minibus, train or even a sturdier plane subject to a more highly regulated environment. This week, it feels like private travel in a tourist helicopter seems to come with real risks.
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