Firefighting Helicopter Crashes Into Pond in France — Crew Miraculously Survives

A dramatic scene unfolded in western France when a firefighting helicopter spun out of control and crashed into a pond while attempting to scoop up water to battle nearby wildfires.

The accident occurred on the evening of August 24, 2025, at Rosporden Lake in the Finistère region. Eyewitness video captured the terrifying moment the helicopter’s tail rotor dipped into the water, causing the aircraft to spin violently before crashing into the8 pond and breaking apart on impact.

Crew Walks Away Unharmed

Amazingly, both crew members survived without serious injuries. They managed to exit the helicopter on their own, swimming to safety. Local officials confirmed that the pilot, a firefighter on board, and a nearby eyewitness who assisted were briefly hospitalized but later discharged.

Authorities praised the crew’s composure and professionalism in the face of disaster.

Eyewitness Accounts

One local resident had been filming the helicopter as it carried out a water-scooping maneuver. When the aircraft suddenly lost control and plunged into the pond, the eyewitness stopped recording to call emergency services. Another bystander quickly jumped in with a paddleboard to help bring the crew to shore.

Firefighting Efforts Continue

Despite the crash, firefighting operations were not interrupted. Another helicopter was swiftly deployed to continue battling the flames. The downed aircraft, a Morane 29 model, had already carried out 27 successful water drops earlier in the day, helping protect around 10 hectares of land from spreading fire.

Investigation Underway

Officials have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash, focusing on whether the tail rotor’s contact with water during the scooping maneuver led to the loss of control.

France’s Wildfire Battle

The incident comes amid an intense wildfire season across France, with flames destroying areas comparable in size to Paris. Thousands of firefighters and dozens of aircraft are working daily to contain the blazes, which have already caused injuries and at least one death this summer.