What happened
On May 15, 2010, at 16:40 local time, an Air Tractor AT-802, registration EC-JXN, operated by Avialsa, crashed in the Pobla de Benifassà municipality, Castellón. The aircraft was engaged in aerial firefighting operations to combat a wildfire near the border of the Tarragona province.
The flight originated from Sabadell airport, where the aircraft initially departed with a full water load. After performing an initial water drop, the aircraft landed at Castellón aerodrome to reload. On board the aircraft were the pilot and a ground operator whose role was to manage water loading on the ground.
Upon returning to the fire zone for a second drop, the aircraft performed a reconnaissance pass over the flames. While attempting a second approach, the aircraft executed a sharp right turn and entered a descending flight path. The aircraft struck a steep mountainside in the Castellar ravine, and a post-impact fire destroyed the majority of the airframe. The two fatalities occurred upon impact.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the aircraft's operational history, and the organizational coordination between different firefighting units. Investigators analyzed witness testimonies from ground personnel and other pilots involved in the operation, as well as GPS flight path reconstruction and video footage captured from the ground.
The investigation also reviewed the operator's manual and the regulatory framework governing aerial firefighting at the time. It was noted that while other aircraft from the same base had ceased operations due to deteriorating wind conditions, the pilot of EC-JXN proceeded with a final drop attempt. The investigation also looked into the presence of the ground operator on board during the critical phase of the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control during a maneuver involving a steep bank angle, which, when combined with strong winds and probable turbulence near the mountainside, led to a loss of lift.
- At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing strong, gusty winds from the northwest, with average speeds of 50 km/h and gusts reaching 70 km/h.
- The aircraft was operating in an environment with moderate mountain waves and turbulence predicted for the area.
- There were deficiencies in the coordination of firefighting resources between different autonomous communities, as no unified command structure was in place for the various participating units.
- The operator's manual lacked clear procedures for centralized decision-making and did not explicitly define which personnel were considered essential crew members during water drops, leading to ambiguity regarding the presence of the ground operator during the approach.
Safety action
- The operator was recommended to establish a clear hierarchical line for safety-related decision-making and improved communication channels between pilots and management.
- Recommendations were made to ensure that operational manuals clearly define the essential crew members required for the operation to prevent unauthorized personnel from being on board during critical phases.
- A recommendation was issued to the Ministry of Agriculture to expand the existing inter-community cooperation agreement to ensure better coordination of aerial resources during wildfires.