Helicopter that crashed into sea near Jūrmala was registered in Lithuania

The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau (TAIIB) has established that the aircraft which went down in the sea off Jūrmala's Majori area was a "Konner K1-S19" model helicopter registered in Lithuania. The information was confirmed to the LETA news agency by TAIIB marine accident investigator Signe Klusa.

Only one person, the pilot, was on board the helicopter, and he was not injured in the crash. After receiving the report, TAIIB began work to determine the circumstances of the accident. On August 17 the helicopter was lifted out of the sea and taken to a TAIIB hangar for further examination.

Safety investigation launched

TAIIB has opened a formal aviation accident safety investigation, during which information will be gathered and analyzed to establish the circumstances and causes of the crash. The bureau noted that the investigation is currently at an early stage, so no assumptions about possible causes are being made at this time. Updates on the investigation's progress and results will be provided in line with standard safety investigation procedures.

How the accident happened

The small aircraft crashed into the sea on August 15, several hundred meters from shore in the Gulf of Riga near Jūrmala. Emergency services received the report via the 112 hotline at 1:24 p.m. Municipal police officers pulled one person from the water and brought him ashore using a jet ski; he was then handed over to the Emergency Medical Service. Rescuers checked the crash site by boat and found no fuel leaks or other people in the water.