What happened
On June 24, 2005, an Air Tractor AT-802A Amphibian, registration EC-IVM, was engaged in aerial firefighting operations near Valencia, Spain. After performing a water drop on a forest fire, the aircraft proceeded to the Bellús Reservoir to replenish its tanks.
During the water landing maneuver, the aircraft's landing gear remained in the extended position. Upon contacting the water, the extended gear created significant drag, causing the aircraft to decelerate rapidly. This drag created a high pitching moment that caused the nose to dig into the water, leading the aircraft to capsize and settle in an inverted position. The pilot was able to exit the submerged aircraft by breaking a window with an oxygen bottle and successfully swam to the surface.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the configuration of the landing gear and the pilot's awareness of the aircraft's state. Investigators confirmed that the landing gear mechanism was functioning correctly and that the control lever was in the "down" position. The aircraft's