What happened
During a firefighting operation near the region of Show Low, a single-engine aircraft was performing low-altitude maneuvers when it experienced a critical mechanical failure. While the pilot was cruising at a low altitude, the right engine suffered a loss of power. In response to the malfunction, the pilot successfully shut down the affected engine and feathered the propeller.
As the crew attempted to release the retardant load, a second emergency occurred when the left engine ignited. The pilot initiated an emergency descent to find a suitable landing site; however, during this maneuver, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. The pilot sustained serious injuries during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified two distinct mechanical issues. While the specific reason for the initial power loss in the right engine remained undetermined, investigators concluded that the fire in the left engine was triggered by a failure of the number 11 cylinder head.