Accident
On May 5, 2026, at approximately 20:40 local time, a PZL M18B Dromader agricultural aircraft, registration SP-ZUT, crashed while conducting a firefighting mission near Kozaki, close to Biłgoraj, Poland. The aircraft had been dispatched to assist in extinguishing a large forest fire in the Puszcza Solska region. During the flight, the pilot initially did not observe fire at the coordinates provided but was later vectored to a new location approximately 15 km east of Biłgoraj. At 20:38, the pilot located the fire and began a reconnaissance pass along the fire line. After completing a circle, the pilot initiated a drop run that ended in a steep dive. The aircraft struck treetops and then impacted the ground. Upon impact, the fuel tanks ruptured and ignited, causing a post-crash fire that was extinguished by nearby firefighting personnel. The pilot was fatally injured.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a PZL M18B Dromader (serial number 1Z016-29), manufactured by WSK "PZL-Mielec". It held a certificate of registration issued on November 22, 2022, and a restricted airworthiness certificate dated March 12, 2019. The airworthiness review certificate was valid until January 28, 2027. Total flight time on the airframe was 3,443 hours and 34 minutes. The pilot was a 65-year-old male holding an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) for airplanes, with valid first-, second-, and light aircraft pilot license (LAPL) medical certificates, including a restriction requiring corrective lenses for near vision.
Investigation
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) deployed a team to the crash site. Investigators conducted on-site inspections, secured documentation related to the pilot, aircraft, and operator, and removed potential flight data recording devices, including instrument panels, for further analysis. A tablet and mobile phone found on board were also secured. As of the preliminary report, no safety recommendations had been issued. The investigation is ongoing.
Injuries and Damage
The sole occupant, the pilot, sustained fatal injuries. No other persons were injured. The aircraft was completely destroyed.