What happened
On June 14, 2002, at approximately 21:30 local time, an Air Tractor AT-802, registration EC-GOO, crashed in an orange grove in Barxeta, Valencia, during a firefighting mission. The aircraft was engaged in aerial water bombing operations to combat local fires.
Earlier that day, the crew had completed a mission at Venta del Moro. Following that water drop, the pilot performed a "hammer head" maneuver—an acrobatic move explicitly prohibited by the aircraft's Flight Manual. After returning to the Siete Aguas base to reload fuel and water, the crew was redirected to a fire in Barxeta.
Upon arriving at the Barxeta site, the pilot conducted a reconnaissance pass before dropping the water payload at a very low altitude, which caused the aircraft to strike the tops of several pine trees. Following the drop, the pilot initiated a steep, almost vertical ascent. During this climb, the aircraft lost airspeed and entered a state from which recovery was impossible, leading to a vertical impact with the ground.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight history, aircraft maintenance records, and the physiological state of the crew. The investigation focused on the sequence of maneuvers performed during both the Venta del Moro and Barxeta missions, as well as the compliance of the crew with company operational circulars and the aircraft's Flight Manual.
Investigators also performed toxicological examinations on the crew members. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the operational procedures regarding the presence of the motor pump operator on board the aircraft during active flight operations.
Findings
- The Air Tractor AT-802 was airworthy, and all maintenance and engine inspections were up to date.
- The pilot held a valid commercial license and the necessary qualifications for the operation.
- The pilot and the motor pump operator both had blood alcohol levels significantly exceeding legal limits for commercial aviation; the pilot's level was 2.07 gr/l and the operator's was 1.13 gr/l.
- The crew violated company regulations by having the motor pump operator fly on the mission when he should have remained on the ground.
- The pilot performed unauthorized maneuvers, including a hammer head and a vertical ascent, which violated the limitations set in the Flight Manual.
- The unauthorized vertical maneuver following the water drop caused a loss of control at an altitude too low to allow for recovery.