Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Greek aviation officials are closely monitoring ongoing aerial firefighting missions after a pair of Bell 214ST helicopters had a fatal midair collision on Sunday afternoon. A Danish pilot and a liaison officer from the Greek fire service were killed when the rotorcraft crashed in Attica, west of the capital (Athens), and a British pilot and another firefighter are being treated in a hospital for minor injuries after landing in rough terrain.
The rotorcraft are owned by Australian air services group McDermott Aviation and have been operating under contract to Greek authorities from the Elefsis (or Elefsina) Air Base. Following the accident, Greek officials grounded Bell 214s but have allowed other helicopters and airplanes to continue firefighting missions when possible during windy conditions that have spread wildfires across large areas of the country.
Widely circulated video posted on social media platforms shows the two aircraft flying in close formation before colliding at low altitude. One of the Bell 214STs subsequently fell to the ground while the other was able to change course and land.
Aircraft have been deployed across Europe, &nbsp;including France and Spain, as part of efforts to manage fast-spreading forest fires. Fires in the Gironde region of southwestern France have disrupted manufacturing at Dassault Aviation’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/busihttps://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-07-29/falcon-manufacturing-halted-french-forest-fires?utm_campaign=AIN%20Alerts&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--nAc57x70wBehueUrDIi-KjKznRL4toUmo8CrqgxFCyEOquTWIE2jR3wtJjTIYh_AXGiQlA3ToVyTZNq67TpEvtnos2EvRvQu8BPKIo0Nx1UTnG5s&amp;_hsmi=430722981&amp;utm_content=430722981&amp;utm_source=hs_emailness-aviation/2026-07-29/falcon-manufacturing-halted-french-forest-fires?utm_campaign=AIN%20Alerts&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--nAc57x70wBehueUrDIi-KjKznRL4toUmo8CrqgxFCyEOquTWIE2jR3wtJjTIYh_AXGiQlA3ToVyTZNq67TpEvtnos2EvRvQu8BPKIo0Nx1UTnG5s&amp;_hsmi=430722981&amp;utm_content=430722981&amp;utm_source=hs_email">facilities near Bordeaux</a>.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

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