Estonian Tycoon Among Five Killed in Midair Helicopter Collision Near Finland
A fire department vehicle is seen near the crash site close to the Eura Airfield in Eura, Finland, on May 17, 2025. Two civilian helicopters crashed in Eura on Saturday, according to the Satakunta rescue department. Rescue workers have located the helicopters in a forested area. Two civilian helicopters crashed in Eura on Saturday, according to the Satakunta rescue department. The authorities have declined to provide information regarding possible casualties so far., LEHTIKUVA / PETRI HAKOSALO
The serene skies over southwest Finland turned tragic on Saturday, May 17, 2025, when two private helicopters collided midair near Eura, claiming the lives of all five people aboard. Among the victims was Oleg Sõnajalg, a prominent Estonian businessman whose death sent ripples through Estonia’s tight-knit business and aviation communities. The crash, described by witnesses as sudden and catastrophic, has left investigators scrambling to uncover the cause of this devastating accident.
The helicopters, both Robinson R44 models, had departed from Tallinn, Estonia, earlier that morning, bound for an aviation enthusiasts’ event at Piikajärvi Airfield in Kokemäki, Finland. Organized by the Pori Aviation Club, the gathering was expected to draw around 20 aircraft and 50 participants for a weekend of camaraderie and flight. The two aircraft, one registered in Estonia as ES-ETR and the other in Austria as OE-XOS, were part of a group of private guests from Estonia. They took off from a private helipad behind Tallinn’s Linnahall, a Soviet-era landmark near the city’s port, once a hub for helicopter services between Tallinn and Helsinki until a fatal crash in 2005 shuttered commercial operations.
Flight tracking data revealed that the helicopters flew in close formation for most of their journey across the Gulf of Finland. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., as they neared Eura Airfield, both aircraft vanished from radar. A local resident, Antti Marjanen, witnessed the harrowing moment from his yard. He described how the helicopters, flying closely, suddenly collided when one made an abrupt maneuver. “One of them dropped like a stone,” Marjanen said, his voice heavy with shock as he recounted dialing emergency services. The second helicopter spiraled downward, crashing into a forested area roughly 100 meters from the first.
Emergency crews responded swiftly, guided by a plume of smoke rising from one of the crash sites, where a fire had erupted on impact. The Finnish Defence Forces secured the area, while rescue teams located the second helicopter nearby. Two ambulances departed the scene without sirens, a somber indication that no survivors remained. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation has taken the lead in probing the incident, with support from the Accident Investigation Board. Authorities confirmed that one helicopter carried two people, while the other held three. The pilots’ identities are known, but officials are still verifying the passengers’ names.
Oleg Sõnajalg, 58, was one of the pilots. A towering figure in Estonia’s wind energy sector, Sõnajalg was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and frequent helicopter trips between mainland Estonia and his home on Saaremaa Island. He often piloted his own Robinson R44, a lightweight four-seater popular among private aviators. Sõnajalg’s career began in the waning days of the Soviet era, when he gained attention as part of a religious pop group. In recent decades, he made headlines for his ambitious wind power projects and occasional legal disputes over energy developments. His death has left a void in Estonia’s business landscape.
The second pilot, whose identity remains unconfirmed by authorities, was reportedly a construction entrepreneur with a low public profile. Local media in Tallinn have suggested he was also an experienced aviator, though details remain sparse. The other passengers’ identities are still under review, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the tragedy.
Investigators are exploring several potential causes, including human error, weather conditions, or communication failures between the aircraft. The Robinson R44, manufactured by the U.S.-based Robinson Helicopter Company, is a reliable model, but its lightweight design requires precise handling, especially in close formation flying. Early speculation from aviation experts points to the risks of flying in tight proximity, where a sudden maneuver can lead to disaster. Weather reports from the area noted clear skies, ruling out storms as a factor, though investigators are examining wind patterns and visibility.
The crash has deeply shaken Estonia’s aviation community, a small but passionate group of pilots and enthusiasts. At Piikajärvi Airfield, the mood was somber as organizers canceled the event. “We knew they were en route. Some of the others arrived, but some didn’t,” said Ari Pullinen, chairman of the Pori Aviation Club, his words tinged with grief. For those who knew Sõnajalg, the loss is personal. His contributions to renewable energy and his love for aviation were well-known, making his death all the more poignant.
As Finland and Estonia coordinate their investigations, the focus remains on piecing together the final moments of the flight. Eyewitness accounts, flight data, and wreckage analysis will be critical in determining why this routine journey ended in tragedy. For now, the communities on both sides of the Gulf of Finland mourn the lives lost and await answers in the hope of preventing such a disaster in the future.
