What happened
On the afternoon of the accident, a single-pilot operation departed from Nîmes-Garons Airport at 16:48 local time. The mission involved aerial firefighting over the village of Générac, situated approximately 5 km southwest of the airfield. As the twin engine airplane approached the target area for treatment, the aircraft collided with trees and subsequently erupted into flames. The impact and the resulting post-crash fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There was one fatality, consisting of the pilot who was the only person on board.
At the time of the collision, visibility was significantly impaired by dense smoke present in the area.
Findings
Investigations into the accident highlighted several contributing factors related to flight operations and pilot performance. The pilot, operating without a co-pilot, lacked the necessary cross-checking mechanisms for critical maneuvers. It was noted that the pilot had limited experience conducting firefighting missions specifically in single-pilot configurations. Furthermore, the crew's familiarity with the aircraft's flight envelope limitations—particularly regarding high weight and steep turns—was insufficient.
Environmental factors played a significant role, as the pilot flew a trajectory very close to the flame front without adequately anticipating associated turbulence or aerological phenomena. The investigation determined that the pilot failed to perceive the terrain due to an intense focus on protecting a specific dwelling. This distraction led to an inappropriate altitude and a steep bank. Ultimately, a local stall occurred on the left wing, causing a sudden descent that prevented the pilot from recovering before striking the trees.