GRAMMATIKO — 2005 · Major Tragedy
The Crash of Helios Airways Flight 522
On 14 August 2005 a Helios Airways Boeing 737 flying from Larnaca to Prague via Athens crashed into hills near Grammatiko, north of Athens, killing all 121 people on board. The cabin pressurisation system had been left in manual mode after maintenance, and as the aircraft climbed the crew and passengers lost consciousness from hypoxia. The plane flew on autopilot for hours; fighter pilots sent to intercept it saw motionless figures in the cockpit. It crashed when its fuel ran out. In Greece four company officials were convicted, while the case in Cyprus ended in acquittals.
- Date
- 2005
- Place
- Attica, Greece, Grammatiko, GR
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 38.2300, 23.9700 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 14 August 2005The aircraft left Larnaca; cabin pressure failed to build.
- 14 August 2005Fighter jets were sent alongside the plane flying on autopilot.
- 14 August 2005Out of fuel, it crashed near Grammatiko; 121 people died.
- December 2008Five people were charged with manslaughter in Cyprus.
- 2012Four Helios officials were convicted in Greece.
Sources
- The Guardian — Helios flight 522: was it because one man forgot to flip a switch? theguardian.com ↗
- BBC News — Helios crash charges news.bbc.co.uk ↗
- Cyprus Mail — Five face manslaughter charges over Helios crash archive.cyprus-mail.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Helios Airways Flight 522 en.wikipedia.org ↗
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- Cyprus Mail
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.