Fire fighting | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine airplane departed Cagliari-Elmas in a fire fighting mission on behalf of the Civil Security of Italy (Protezione Civile). While flying at low height in the region of Laconi, the airplane struck a rocky face and crashed. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Grumman S-2F Tracker in Gignac-la-Nerthe: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Grumman S-2 Tracker

Operator:

Registration:

F-ZBEI

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Marseille - Marseille

MSN:

357

YOM:

1957

Flight number:

Pélican 15

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was approaching Marseille-Marignane Airport following a 3 hours survey flight over the region when he was informed about a fire that just started in Gignac-la-Nerthe, about 5 km south of Marignane Airport. As the fire retardant was still on board, the crew initiated a go-around and flew over the zone under fire. While flying at low height, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a prairie near a house. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Crew:
Michel Brousse,
Charles Daussin.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a dual engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina off Northport: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1985 at 1538 LT

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Aries Aire

Registration:

N2886D

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

2104

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

Tanker 49

Location:

Northport

Washington

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

17000

Aircraft flight hours:

4415

Circumstances:

Water bomber aircraft landed on lake with dump doors partially open during landing phase of water pickup run. Mechanically operated dump door locks were applied before dump doors were closed. Pilot controlled dump doors from pilots control wheel, copilot operated door locks by separate control independent of the dump doors. Both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
1. (c) checklist - not followed - pilot in command
2. (c) fatigue (chronic) - pilot in command
3. (f) in-flight planning/decision - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. (f) pressure - pilot in command
5. (f) psychological condition - pilot in command
6. (c) improper use of equipment/aircraft - pilot in command
7. (c) improper use of procedure - company/operator management

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas B-26 Invader in Morley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1984

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Registration:

C-FFIM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

28496

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

Tanker 5

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a fire fighting mission, the left wing detached in flight and the aircraft crashed, bursting into flames. Sole on board, the pilot was killed. It is believed that the wing detached following a structural failure.

Crash of a Canadair CL-215-1A10 off Zadar: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1984

Type of aircraft:

Canadair CL-215

Operator:

Registration:

72201

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

1066

YOM:

1981

Location:

Zadar

Country:

Croatia

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Engaged in a fire fighting mission, the crew was completing a scoop maneuver off Zadar when the left float struck the water surface and was torn off. Out of control, the airplane water looped and sank. Two crew members were rescued while the third was killed.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso in Thunder Bay

Date & Time: May 14, 1984

Type of aircraft:

Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)

Operator:

The Flying Fireman

Registration:

C-GFFD

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Thunder Bay - Thunder Bay

MSN:

CV-441

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

Tanker 5

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Thunder Bay, while climbing, the right engine failed while the left engine lost power. The aircraft descended, struck obstacles and eventually crashed in a prairie. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Failure of both engines during initial climb because the fuel was contaminated by water.

Crash of a Canadair CL-215-1A10 in Marseille: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Canadair CL-215

Operator:

Registration:

F-ZBBR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Marseille - Marseille

MSN:

1001

YOM:

1968

Flight number:

Pélican 01

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in Marseille. While flying at low height, the water bomber plane struck a tree and crashed in a wooded area located in the Marseilleveyre Mountain Range near the district of Pointe-Rouge, south of Marseille. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Crew:
Yves Kohler, pilot,
Georges Berujeau, mechanic.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-45-DL Invader near Hubbards Fork: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1983 at 1758 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Lynch Air Tankers

Registration:

N4060A

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Asheville - Asheville

MSN:

27381

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

Tanker 01

Location:

Hubbards Fork

Kentucky

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4199

Captain / Total hours on type:

733.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1558

Circumstances:

The pilot and aircraft had been fighting forest fires earlier in the day. A late developing fire necessitated another dispatch. The aircraft arrived on scene and checked in with the lead aircraft circling overhead coordinating the fire fighting efforts. The tanker made two runs over the fire area following the lead aircraft. After the second run, the aircraft banked left in a level turn to make another run without using the lead aircraft. During the third run the tanker struck trees near the top of a 1,800 feet ridgeline. Witnesses on the ground remarked how low the aircraft was. According to the pilot's peers, he took pride in doing his job well and always strove to put the chemical right on target. There had been occasions in the past where this zeal to succeed had resulted in his going lower than the 150 feet agl minimum altitude mandated by forestry service regs. He had, on occasions, returned to base with tree foliage stuck in his aircraft. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
2. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
3. (c) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of an Aeritalia G.222TCM in Greve in Chianti: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1982 at 1830 LT

Type of aircraft:

Aeritalia G.222

Operator:

Registration:

MM62106

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Pisa - Pisa

MSN:

4009

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Pisa-Arturo dell'Oro (San Giusto) Airport on a fire fighting mission in the region of Greve in Chianti, about 20 km south of Florence. While flying at low height, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All four crew members were killed.