SE-HPR

This sad image was shot at approx 9:00 am on the morning of February 7th 2002. The police helicopter base had been completely wiped out by an immense fire during the night – destroying three helicopters and an airplane.

The fire broke out in the building at approx 2:00 am. It spread rapidly and as the fire fighting units arrived a half an hour later it proved too late to save the helicopters. The entire building was destroyed together with the three helicopters and a Cessna airplane. The fire wasn’t extinguished until 5:35 am in the morning. As the smoke scattered the melted ruins merged. It was a complete mess of ash and bent metal. The relics of the helicopters could hardly be distinguished among all the debris. A few heaps of metal were the only things that indicated that the hangar had been filled with aircraft the night before. The cause of the fire has never been fully determined.

The helicopters lost in the fire were one brand new EC 135 (SE-HPR) and two Jet Rangers (SE-HIM & SE-HPH). The EC 135 had been delivered in August of 2001 and was the first helicopter of the new generation’s national police aviation. Two other EC 135s had been delivered (SE-HPS & SE-HPT), but they were at other locations that night.rnThe two Jet Rangers were a part of a vanishing generation. SE-HIM was, however, meant to remain in the new Eurocopter-lead organization as a crew trainer due to its NVG capacities and a new main rotor transmission. SE-HPH was destined to be sold, after nearly 23 000 hours in service in the organization.