Latest news with #PriitJaagant
India Today
17-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Who are Oleg Sõnajalg and Priit Jaagant, business tycoons died in helicopter crash?
A midair collision between two helicopters near Eura airfield in Finland has resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including two of Estonia's prominent business figure -- Oleg Snajalg, 58, a wind energy pioneer, and Priit Jaagant, 52, an Estonian business aircraft, both lightweight four-seater helicopters, were en route from Tallinn to a private aviation gathering in Finland when the fatal collision occurred.. Estonian businessman Vaino Kaldoja, founder of Silberauto, confirmed the involvement of the two men to the local Jaagant had his own helicopter and Oleg Snajalg had his. They collided with each other," Kaldoja said. According to authorities, five people were aboard the two aircraft—three in one and two in the other. Estonian public broadcaster ERR, citing initial information from the country's foreign ministry, reported that no one survived the SNAJALG: WIND ENERGY PIONEER AND ENTREPRENEUROleg Snajalg, along with his brother Andres, played a key role in propelling Estonia towards renewable energy. Their company, Eleon, was behind the development of the Aidu wind farm, which marked a big step for the nation's wind power Snajalg was often seen in the Estonian media, not just for his business ventures but also for speaking openly about personal matters. He used to piloting the aircraft often. He was operating a Robinson R44 registered as ES-ETR at the time of the crashPRIIT JAAGANT: CHAIRMAN OF MAPRI EHITUSadvertisementPriit Jaagant was the head of Mapri Ehitus, the largest construction company group in Estonia. His firm also confirmed his and his wife, Lilit Jaagant, who was also on board."We regret to inform you that today, at noon on May 17, two Estonian helicopters crashed in Finland, killing Priit Jaagant, the chairman of the board of one of Estonia's largest construction company groups, Mapri, and his wife Lilit Jaagant. According to unconfirmed reports, there are no survivors," the company second helicopter involved in the crash was an Austrian-registered Robinson helicopter with the registration OE-XOS. Jaagant, who had no official aviation background, was said to be flying his crews responded quickly. One of the helicopters was said to have burst into flames upon impact, aiding rescuers in finding the location. The area was secured by the Finnish Defence Forces, and a full investigation is currently being led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into why the helicopter of the Piikajrvi Airfield, the site of the crash, said that the two helicopters belonged to a fleet of about 20 aircraft and 50 participants flying from Estonia for a weekend aviation festival."We knew they were en route. Some of the others arrived, but some didn't," said Ari Pullinen, chairman of the Pori Aviation Club told local media.
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
‘No survivors' after helicopters collide in Finland
Two civilian helicopters have crashed into each other in Finland with no survivors reported. The helicopters had taken off from Estonia and were carrying businessmen on board, with three people in one and two in the other. Emergency services were called to the crash site west of Helsinki shortly after 12.30pm local time on Saturday. 'The accident has resulted in several fatalities. The exact number of victims and the identities of the passengers are still being determined,' the police said in a statement. However, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign affairs confirmed to public broadcaster ERR that all those on board the helicopters had died. A witness said he saw the two helicopters flying close to one another before one 'dropped like a stone'. 'Suddenly, one of the helicopters made a quick movement and, just like that, collided with the other. Shortly afterwards, there was a terrible crash,' Antti Marjanen told Finnish broadcaster Yleisradio Oy. 'One of the helicopters dropped like a stone, while the other spiralled down. After that, I didn't see or hear anything. There was no smoke.' Rescue workers reportedly located the wreckage of the helicopters in a forested area, located around 100 yards from each other. Officials gave no indication of what caused the mid-air collision, but a witness told Finnish media there was a 'terrible crash' after one of the aircraft performed a sudden manoeuvre. Local media named Estonian businessmen Oleg Sõnajalg and Priit Jaagant, and his wife Lilit Jaagant, as being among the victims. Jaagant's construction company released a statement confirming that he and his wife had died. Flightradar24 tracking data showed two four-seater Robinson R44 Raven light helicopters that departed from Tallinn, the Estonian capital, were flying near Eura, in south west Finland, when the accident took place. The passengers were on their way to an air show at Piikajarvi Airfield when they collided, according to the chairman of a nearby aviation club.
