Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Poste-de-la-Baleine: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1981
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
C-FEYT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire - Poste-de-la-Baleine
MSN:
487
YOM:
1953
Location:
Kuujjuarapik (Poste-de-la-Baleine)
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane was completing a forest fire survey flight from Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire to Poste-de-la-Baleine (Kuujjuarapik). While flying at low height, the right float struck tree tops. The pilot apparently attempted to make a corrective manoeuvre when the airplane banked left then descended into trees and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft was totally destroyed. However, an examination of the propeller blades revealed that the engine was running at high rpm at the time of impact. Also, it was reported that the ELT failed to function because of a depleted battery pack which was two years past its expiry date.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina off Sioux Lookout

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
The Flying Fireman
Registration:
C-GFFJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Sioux Lookout - Sioux Lookout
MSN:
2067
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Tanker 9
Location:
Sioux Lookout
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in the region of Sioux Lookout and was completing a scooping maneuver on Lake Jackson when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-17-FA Flying Boxcar near Frazier Park: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1981 at 0927 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
N13742
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara
MSN:
10431
YOM:
1949
Flight number:
Tanker 88
Location:
Frazier Park
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
5014
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Santa Barbara Airport at 0857LT, heading for a fire burning on the Los Padres National Forest. The airtanker arrived at the fire location and was given direction for the drop by the Incident Commander (IC). The IC instructed the airtanker pilots to keep the drop high because of steep terrain and snags. They were also instructed to drop only one-half the retardant, saving the remainder for another run. The airtanker pilots acknowledged the instructions. The airtanker pilots notified the IC that they were on final approach. As the airtanker approached the intended drop area, the IC noted from the sound of the engines that they were "revved up." He also heard cracking and popping sounds. When the airtanker came into his sight, the IC and another person noticed that the drop doors on the airtanker were not open and that the landing gear was retracted. The IC had worked with this airtanker and its crewmembers on several previous occasions. The IC noted that the airtanker was lower than he had expected, traveling at an air speed higher than he had observed on previous drops, and that the airtanker was in a descending attitude. The IC and one other person observed the airtanker continue past the intended drop site and then suddenly drop vertically approximately 50 to 100 feet. At that moment, the left wing tip (approximately half of the total left wing span) flexed downward, snapped off, and began cartwheeling along behind the airtanker. The airtanker began to roll left, its nose began to drop, it began to strike trees, and then it struck ground at 0927. The captain and copilot were fatally injured upon impact. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Source: USDA & USFS
Probable cause:
Ground investigation confirmed the loss of the left wing prior to impact. Portions of the left wing, left flap, left inboard aileron, and approximately 20 feet of intact left wing tip were recovered between 50 to 800 feet in front of the impact point. Investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Forest Service teams showed definite pre-mishap cracks in the inner left wing aileron bell crank control assembly. The possibility of a bell crank failure could have induced aileron flutter, which in turn could have contributed to wing destruction causing the wing to separate from the airtanker.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Bettles

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1981 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
N8682
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bettles - Fort Yukon
MSN:
10859
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
Tanker 138
Location:
Bettles
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Bettles to Fort Yukon on a fire fighting mission, the airplane was climbing when the right engine caught fire and exploded. The captain ordered the four passengers (firefighters) and the copilot to evacuate the cabin and the captain, sole on board, attempted an emergency landing on a sandbar located near the Kayokuk River. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Loose gravel,
- Sandy terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Unknown intern fire in right engine,
- Unfeathered propeller.
Final Report:

Crash of a Canadair CL-215-1A10 near Beniarrés: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Canadair CL-215
Operator:
Registration:
UD.13-13
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1053
YOM:
1977
Location:
Beniarrés
Valencian Community
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission over the Sierra d'Aitana. After its load of water was scooped, the airplane struck trees and crashed onto a hill located in Beniarrés. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer in Ramona

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
Operator:
Registration:
N2870G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ramona - Ramona
MSN:
66304
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Tanker 122
Location:
Ramona
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Ramona Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both pilots escaped uninjured, the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on takeoff after a tire burst.

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

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader
Operator:
Registration:
C-FBVH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
28003
YOM:
1944
Location:
Slave Lake
Alberta
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Slave Lake while engaged in a firefighting mission. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso A in Chiguayante: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1979 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)
Operator:
Aeroservicio Parragué - ASPAR
Registration:
CC-CDS
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
MSN:
CV-281
YOM:
1941
Flight number:
Canso 31
Location:
Chiguayante
Región del Biobío
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission under callsign 'Canso 31'. While approaching the fire zone at low height and ready to drop 5,000 liters of water, the airplane struck a pine tree with its left wing. Out of control, it crashed in a garden located in the district of Manquimávida, northeast of Chiguayante. Both pilots were killed instantly while the third occupant was seriously injured. He died while being transferred to the hospital.
Crew:
Carlos Paris Maldonado, pilot,
Rolf Taucher, copilot,
Jaime López Morales, observer.
Probable cause:
Poor judgement on part of the flying crew who failed to see and avoid obstacles while flying at low height.

Crash of a Grumman TS-2A Tracker in Laytonville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1978 at 1746 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman S-2 Tracker
Operator:
Registration:
N448DF
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ukiah - Ukiah
MSN:
179
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
Tanker 95
Location:
Laytonville
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6273
Captain / Total hours on type:
1912.00
Circumstances:
While completing a low pass during a fire fighting mission, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash during low pass after the pilot misjudged distance, speed and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- High obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Canadair CL-215-1A10 in Ioannina

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Canadair CL-215
Operator:
Registration:
1050
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Elefsis - Elefsis
MSN:
1050
YOM:
1978
Location:
Ioannina
Epirus / Ήπειρος
Country:
Greece
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Elesis Airbase in the day. En route, a fuel leak occurred and a fire erupted. The crew diverted to Ioannina Airport to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane landed safely and came to rest in flames. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire caused by a fuel leak.
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