Finnish authorities are investigating a mid-air collision between two helicopters that claimed multiple lives near Eura airfield in Finland on Saturday.

Estonian businessman Oleg Sonajalg, 65, has been confirmed among those killed in the crash, according to Estonian newspaper Postimees. Sonajalg’s family verified the tragic news to the publication around 5:30 p.m., shortly after learning of his death, though they had no detailed information about how the accident occurred.

Estonian media reports that businessman Priit Jaagant, 52, was aboard the second helicopter involved in the collision.

Estonian Entrepreneur Oleg Sonajalg, accessed on 17 May, 2025. (Photo via Buller)

Eyewitness confirms collision details

Estonian entrepreneur Vaino Kaldoja confirmed to the business newspaper Aripaev that both Sonajalg and Jaagant were involved in the accident.

“Priit Jaagant had his own helicopter and Oleg Sonajalg had his. They collided with each other,” Kaldoja told the Estonian publication.

Kaldoja is the founder of Silberauto. According to Iltalehti, a third helicopter was flying behind the two aircraft involved in the crash but was not part of the collision.

Third helicopter lands safely

Flight tracking service Flightradar shows the third helicopter departed from Tallinn shortly after the two helicopters involved in the accident and successfully landed at Piikajarvi airfield in Kokemaki after the incident. This third helicopter is registered in Finland, with Traficom records listing Silberauto as its owner.

Prominent business figures lost in tragedy

Oleg Sonajalg and his brother Andres were significant wind power developers in Estonia, according to Aripaev. Their company Eleon is behind the Aidu wind farm completed in Estonia last year. The newspaper reports the brothers previously built careers in real estate.

Oleg Sonajalg had been prominently featured in Estonian media, speaking publicly about his wife’s death and his new relationship.

Priit Jaagant had established his career in the construction industry, Aripaev reports.

The helicopter collision involving Sonajalg and Jaagant occurred near Eura airfield on Saturday when two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed to the ground. According to police, there were a total of five people aboard the helicopters.

Police have confirmed the accident resulted in multiple fatalities, though the exact number of deaths is still being determined. Estonian public broadcaster ERR, citing preliminary information from Estonia’s foreign ministry, reported that all those involved in the accident have died.

May 17, 2025 08:40 PM GMT+03:00