MD Helicopter 500 accident near Schinias Marathonas, Gr, June 23, 2017
On June 23, 2017 at about 6:45 am local time, a MD Helicopter 500, registered SXHBB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Schinias Marathonas. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2017 · about 6:45 am local time
- Place
- Schinias Marathonas, Greece · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- MD Helicopter 500 E
- Registration
- SXHBB · no longer on the register · serial 0427E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 23, 2017, about 0645 universal coordinated time, a MD Helicopter 500E, Greek registration SX-HBB, was substantially damaged when it struck a power line and impacted terrain near Schinias Marathonas, Greece. The Greek certificated pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and one passenger was seriously injured. The recreational local flight originated at a heliport at the Schinias Marathonas rowing establishment.This accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Development, Infrastructure, Transport & Networks Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board of Greece. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board Building 221 Helliniko GR 167 01 Athens, Greece E-mail: monada@aaiasb.gr Fax: +30-2109617137 Office phone: +30-210-9608090 This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by or obtained from the Government of Greece.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: Schinias Marathonas
- Destination: Schinias Marathonas
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.