What happened
During a mission to combat wildfires near Karystos, located in southern Euboea, an aircraft was performing low-altitude operations. The flight originated from Volos-Néa Anchial or Airport, where the crew had prepared for a water-dropping task. While maneuvering at a low altitude to discharge its payload over the active fire zone, the right wing tip float made contact with a tree, resulting in the component being severed.
Following this impact, the aircraft entered a right-hand turn and lost altitude. The plane subsequently crashed into hilly terrain situated southwest of the initial point of contact with the tree. The impact and a subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were 2 fatalities among the crew members involved in the flight.
Findings
- The loss of the wing tip float occurred due to contact with a tree during low-level flight maneuvers.
- The subsequent descent and crash were triggered by the structural damage sustained during the collision.