Air Tractor AT-802 EC-GGY Crash in Navés, Spain

Flight Details and Accident Overview On June 26, 2003, at 12:02 local time, an Air Tractor AT-802 with registration EC-GGY crashed into the terrain near the coll de Ordigues in the Sierra de Busa, Navés, Lleida, Spain. The aircraft was operated by Avialsa T-35, S. L., and was conducting a forest surveillance flight under the control of the Catalan Generalitat fire services. The flight originated at Sabadell Airport and lasted approximately 25 minutes. ## Aircraft and Crew The aircraft was prepared with 450 gallons of water (1,703 liters) and full fuel tanks containing 1,438 liters. The crew consisted of a pilot and a flight operator. The pilot had arrived at the operational base around 09:30 and completed pre-flight inspections and flight planning before departure. ## Accident Sequence The aircraft's trajectory was recorded by an onboard position location system, which indicated that it maintained a constant heading and speed. In the final moments, the aircraft flew over a valley in an east-west direction before reaching the northern slopes of the Sierra de Busa. The terrain in the area was abrupt, with a steep slope rising from 800 meters to 1,404 meters at its highest point. Witnesses reported that the aircraft executed a left turn while releasing its water load, then leveled out and began a moderate descent. Shortly after, an impact was heard. The aircraft struck the mountainside, caught fire, and was destroyed. Both occupants perished in the accident. ## Investigation Findings The investigation did not find any evidence of malfunction that could have contributed to the cause of the accident. The report was issued by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) under technical report A-031/2003.