What happened
On July 22, 2004, a PZL M18A Dromader, registration EC-FTQ, crashed in the municipality of Beariz, Ourense, while engaged in aerial firefighting operations. The aircraft was performing a water drop on an active forest fire near the locality of Magros.
During the maneuver, the aircraft released its water payload at a very low altitude. Following the drop, the pilot attempted a recovery maneuver to exit the area. During this process, the aircraft entered a stall and struck the terrain in a steep descent on the southwest slope of Mount Marcofán. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and a subsequent explosion and fire consumed the wreckage. The pilot, a 29-year-old commercial pilot, was killed in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's flight experience, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was found to have a valid certificate of airworthiness and had been maintained according to its required program. The pilot held a valid commercial pilot license with the necessary type ratings and was well-acquainted with the local terrain and the specific aircraft.
Investigators analyzed the flight path and the impact site. Evidence suggested that the aircraft's trajectory was likely altered by external environmental factors. Witnesses at the base reported hearing the pilot's voice over the radio briefly before the crash, stating "no" twice, which suggested the pilot was conscious and attempting to manage an unexpected situation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a stall of the right wing during a turning maneuver following the water drop.
- The low altitude at which the stall occurred made recovery impossible.
- It is probable that the pilot was forced into a specific exit route due to the combined effects of rising smoke from the fire and wind conditions. The investigation suggests that the left wing may have been lifted by an updraft from the smoke and wind, destabilizing the aircraft and forcing a right-hand turn.
- The aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in adequate meteorological conditions.