Seventeen years after the "Helios" tragedy, the man who investigated the causes of the plane crash of the Cypriot company, Akrivos Tsolakis, remembers the tragic event, which he describes as a "punch in the stomach" and speaks of a traumatic experience that will remain indelible in his memory.
On the occasion of the annual commemoration of the victims of the air tragedy, which shocked Cyprus and Greece, Akrivos Tsolakis spoke to KYPE about his experience, revealing that the fall of the Helios plane affected him psychologically and forever stole his sleep.
He describes this specific event as a "punch in the stomach" and the most tragic thing he has experienced in his life.
"I've been losing sleep ever since. I have unfortunately suffered a loss of sleep at night. It has affected me psychologically. I tried to cure it. I've been carrying it with me for 17 years", he declares, visibly moved, in a telephone conversation that the KYPE had with him.
For Akrivos Tsolakis, the then President of the Hellenic Air Accidents Investigation Committee, the man who entered the lives of the victims' relatives that August, but also of the entire Cypriot society, the experience was "traumatic".
He characteristically mentions that the period of investigation of the accident cannot be erased from his memory "with a life sentence".
Teaching object and global recognition of 5 recommendations of the finding
In relation to the conclusion, he stated that it was correct, while also forcing those who were at fault to pay for what they failed to do.
According to Akrivos Tsolakis, "the investigation that was carried out was successful in all areas", to emphasize that the causes of the accident were found from the investigation, which were treated by the manufacturing company.
Mr. Tsolakis stated, in fact, that the conclusion of the Hellenic Air Accidents Investigation Committee was recognized worldwide, while he noted that it is currently "a subject of teaching where flight safety is taught".
"It is impossible for the same accident to happen again," says A. Tsolakis
Asked if after the conclusion issued by the Investigative Committee changes were made in flight safety and if there is a possibility that such a case will be repeated, Akrivos Tsolakis ruled out such a possibility.
"I have the impression," he specifically said, "that the same case of accident and the same category of characteristics is unlikely to happen again."
He explained at the same time that sixteen recommendations were included in the conclusion, of which five were recognized and adopted worldwide.
As he added the five recommendations were included in the global aviation industry, registered and valid, to note that they concern the construction of the planes, as well as the training of the crew in the passenger cabin.
Source: KYPE
