What happened
During a mission to combat wildfires in the Sierra de Mariola region, a helicopter leased from the Antonov Design Bureau and operated by Heliservicio crashed near Banyeres de Mariola, approximately 90 km south of Valencia. The aircraft was performing duties on behalf of the Civil Security of Spain at the time of the accident.
As the crew approached the active fire zone, the aircraft was flying at an insufficient altitude. While attempting to maneuver over a mountain peak, the crew released the water payload too late in the sequence. This action led to an aerodynamic stall as the helicopter attempted to clear the terrain. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground at a location roughly 10 meters below the summit.
Findings
- The accident resulted in five fatalities and one serious injury.
- The primary cause of the crash was the aircraft stalling during a low-altitude maneuver over mountainous terrain following a delayed water drop.