Aircraft and Operator
The aircraft involved was an Air Tractor AT-802, registration EC-JXN, operated by Avialsa. It was configured for aerial firefighting and carried a pilot and a ground crew member whose assigned task was to load water on the ground.
Flight History
The aircraft departed from Sabadell Airport (LELL) at 14:54 local time, loaded with water. It flew directly to the fire area between La Sènia (Tarragona) and Tinença de Benifassà (Castellón), where a fire had rekindled from the previous day. After releasing its first load, the aircraft landed at Castellón Airport (LECN). The ground crew member exited, refilled the water tank, and reboarded. The aircraft then took off again to perform a second drop before returning to base.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported that after reaching the fire zone, the pilot completed a reconnaissance turn and approached the fire front on a northwest heading. The aircraft overflow the area without releasing water, then executed a pronounced right turn and began a descending trajectory. It subsequently impacted a steep slope in the Castellar ravine area, within the municipality of La Pobla de Benifassà. A fire broke out immediately after impact.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants died in the impact. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and the subsequent fire.
Cause
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by a steep bank turn, which, combined with strong winds and probable turbulence near the mountainside, resulted in a loss of control of the aircraft.