What happened
On May 5, 2026, a PZL M18B Dromader, registration SP-ZUT, was dispatched from the Warsaw Babice (EPBC) Forest Base to assist in extinguishing a large fire in the Solska Primeval Forest. The aircraft, operated by WSK „PZL-Mielec”, had been loaded with approximately 1,900 liters of water prior to departure.
At approximately 19:10, the pilot departed for the Biłgoraj region. During the flight, the pilot maintained radio contact with Flight Information Service (FIS) and was instructed to land at Mielec (EPML) following the mission. Upon arriving at the initial fire coordinates at 20:20, the pilot could not confirm the presence of active flames and requested vectors to a different location approximately 15 km east of Biłgoraj, as suggested by another pilot.
By 20:38, the pilot located the fire and intended to perform water drops. After notifying FIS of his intention to perform reconnaissance along the fire line and subsequent passes, the aircraft entered a pattern. During the final pass, the aircraft entered a sudden dive, striking treetops at 20:40 before impacting the ground. The impact caused the total destruction of the aircraft and a subsequent fuel fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation team conducted an on-site examination of the wreckage and the accident area. Investigators secured all relevant documentation regarding the pilot, the aircraft, and the operator. To assist in the ongoing analysis, flight parameter-recording devices, including instrument panels, were removed from the aircraft for further study. Additionally, the tablet and mobile phone present in the cockpit were recovered for examination.