What happened
On August 15, 2002, a PZL M18A Dromader, registration EC-FMU, crashed in the municipality of Vistabella del Maestrazgo, Castellón, while engaged in aerial firefighting operations. The aircraft had departed from Castellón Aerodrome following an emergency call regarding a wildfire approximately 45 km away.
During the flight, the pilot of a second aircraft, flying in coordination, noted that EC-FMU was performing significantly slower than normal. As the aircraft approached a mountainous area characterized by steep terrain, the pilot attempted a 180-degree right turn to navigate through a narrow valley. During this maneuver, the aircraft began to oscillate between its wings and subsequently entered a stall. The aircraft descended approximately 140 meters before impacting the ground at an angle of roughly 45 degrees. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's performance, the flight path, and the operational procedures of the operator. Investigators noted that the aircraft required nearly the entire available runway length to take off, a sign of heavy loading. Evidence from witnesses and radio communications indicated that the pilot was aware of the heavy load, even mentioning to the accompanying aircraft that they had "overloaded" the hopper.
Technical analysis of the impact site confirmed that the aircraft was still carrying its water load at the time of the crash, as evidenced by a ring of water surrounding the wreckage. The investigation also reviewed the company's operational manuals and training protocols, noting that while the pilot was qualified, the operator's manuals had not yet been fully updated to reflect recent regulatory changes regarding aerial work procedures.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an aerodynamic stall during a turn, triggered by the excessive weight of the water load in the hopper.
- The pilot's desire to reach the fire site as quickly as possible likely prevented the implementation of corrective actions, such as an emergency water discharge, despite the obvious performance degradation noted during takeoff.
- The aircraft was operating with an undetermined, excessive amount of water, whereas the accompanying aircraft was carrying a standard load of 1,500 to 1,600 liters.
- The aircraft's maneuverability was severely compromised by the weight, making the 180-degree turn in the restricted terrain impossible to complete safely.