On the evening of Wednesday, a rescue helicopter from the Air Force’s Search and Rescue Service (SAR) tragically went down into the sea, approximately 24 miles south of Punta de Jandía. This distressing incident occurred during a routine training exercise around 9:55 PM (Canary Islands time), as reported by the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.
According to initial reports, the crew, consisting of five personnel from the 802 squadron of the SAR, was engaged in a training exercise involving crane operations from the helicopter when it crashed into the ocean. One crew member has since been rescued and is reported to be conscious, while the status of the remaining four remains unknown.
The helicopter involved in the incident was a Sùper Puma, specifically designed to perform various rescue duties at sea and equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems. It is capable of transporting up to 15 individuals and has a range that allows it to operate within a radius of 300 nautical miles (about 555 kilometers).
Onboard, the typical crew for the Sùper Puma consists of six members, including two pilots, a mechanic-operator for the crane, two rescue swimmers, and a nurse. During this specific exercise, the helicopter was operating with five crew members, which included two pilots, a medic, and two rescue specialists trained for such emergencies.
Search and rescue efforts for the missing personnel are ongoing. The naval patrol boat Meteoro P4, which was in the vicinity at the time of the incident, played a crucial role in the initial response by assisting the only identified survivor thus far. Additional resources have been deployed, including maritime rescue vessels like the Salvamar Mizar and Guardamar Talía, alongside officers from the Civil Guard and the Emergency Group of the Canary Government. The search operations also included aerial support from the Helimer 215 helicopter.
Notably, during this critical rescue operation, the cruise ship Thomson Celebration was navigating in the area, potentially providing additional support.
The 802 Squadron of SAR
Based in Gando, Gran Canaria, the 802 Squadron of the Search and Rescue Service is responsible for conducting emergency operations using a combination of aircraft—both planes and helicopters— tailored to specific operational needs. Their crews are extensively trained to respond swiftly to various emergencies, ensuring timely assistance in challenging circumstances.
In addition to the helicopter that experienced this unfortunate incident, the squadron operates three Fokker 27 airplanes and maintains a fleet including three other Super Puma helicopters. Each asset is designed and equipped to meet the rigorous demands of search and rescue missions across the region.
