On August 25, 1996, a Grumman S-2 Tracker (registration F-ZBFO) operated by Sécurité civile was involved in an aviation accident near Corsica, France in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck obstacles while flying at low altitude over hilly terrain during a firefighting mission. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A solo pilot was killed when his aircraft struck obstacles and crashed in a wooded area during a firefighting mission near Bastia.
What happened
During an afternoon mission, a single-engine aircraft departed from Bastia Airport, originally destined for Marseille. While engaged in a final firefighting task, the aircraft was operating at a low altitude over hilly terrain. During this flight phase, the plane collided with obstacles and descended into a forested region, where the impact resulted in a post-crash fire.
Findings
The aircraft was operated by a single pilot.
The crash occurred while the aircraft was flying at a low altitude.
The impact with obstacles led to the destruction of the aircraft and a subsequent fire.
There was one fatality involving the pilot.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck obstacles while flying at low altitude over hilly terrain during a firefighting mission.