Date & Time:
Feb 6, 2023 at 1613 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-300
Operator:
Registration:
N619SW
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Busselton - Busselton
MSN:
28035/2762
YOM:
1995
Flight number:
Bomber 139
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
0
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Busselton-Margaret River Airport at 1532LT on a fire fighting mission under callsign Bomber 139 (B139). Following a flight at FL290, the crew descended to the Fitzgerald River National Park and completed a circuit over the area. After the retardants were dropped, the crew elected to gain height when the airplane crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. Both pilots evacuated with minor injuries and the airplane was destroyed by fire.
