Accident Overview
On 14 April 2004 at 13:26 UTC, two aircraft conducting fishery prospecting flights collided in mid-air over international waters of the Gulf of Lion. The collision occurred approximately 39 NM on radial 070° from Cap Béar (France) and 57 NM on radial 035° from Cabo Bagur (Spain).
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft involved were:
- A Reims Aviation FTB337G "Skymaster", registration F-GFZH, operated by Air Mer (France). It had two occupants: a pilot and an observer.
- A Cessna 337 "Super Skymaster", registration EC-HEQ, operated by Aviación Agrícola del Suroeste, S.A. (AVISUR) (Spain). It had three occupants: a pilot and two observers.
All five occupants were fatally injured. Both aircraft were destroyed.
Circumstances
Both aircraft were performing aerial work for different tuna fishing companies, conducting fishery prospecting flights. At the time of the accident, they were orbiting at low altitude over the same school of fish. While in these orbits, the two aircraft collided.
Investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Spanish Comisión de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil (CIAIAC). The analysis included radar trajectory reconstruction and examination of visibility from the cockpit of Cessna 337 aircraft. No flight recorders were installed on either aircraft.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the collision occurred because both aircraft were orbiting at low altitude over the same school of fish.