Air Tractor AT-802A Wing Strike During Firefighting in Chile

Incident Overview On 22 December 2021, an Air Tractor AT-802A aircraft, operated by a Chilean airline and registered in Spain, was conducting a forest-firefighting operation in the Coelemu sector of Ñuble Region, Chile. During the incident, the aircraft's left wing struck trees in the area. The pilot subsequently flew to Carriel Sur Aerodrome (SCIE) and landed without further issues. ## Flight Details The aircraft departed from El Litral Aerodrome (SCUL) in the Bulnes sector to perform its first firefighting operation near Coelemu, south of Ranguelmo. Upon reaching the fire zone, the pilot conducted a reconnaissance flight and prepared to release water. Because the target area was a hillside, the pilot released the water from top to bottom, in the direction of the slope. During this maneuver, the left wing struck eucalyptus trees. ## Damage and Injuries The pilot was uninjured. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the left wing, specifically to the leading-edge covering toward the wingtip area. No other damage was reported. ## Aircraft and Crew Information The aircraft was an Air Tractor AT-802A, serial number 802-0431, manufactured in 2012, with 1,930.54 service hours at the time of the incident. It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67F engine and equipped with a Hartzell HC-B5MA-3D/M11691NS propeller. The pilot in command was a 50-year-old Spanish national holding an Airline Transport Pilot License. The pilot had 6,131 total flight hours and 1,200 hours on the aircraft type. ## Investigation Context The investigation was conducted in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and Chilean regulations, with the objective of determining the causes of the event for safety prevention purposes.