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Single-Pilot Firefighting Aircraft Crash in France (F-ZBAA)

Générac, FranceFlight

On August 2, 2019, a Grumman S-2 Tracker (registration F-ZBAA) operated by Sécurité civile was involved in an aviation accident near Générac, France in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The official findings identified multiple contributing factors, including the pilot's limited experience on single-pilot firefighting missions, fatigue, overconfidence, and a failure to perceive the terrain. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine firefighting aircraft crashed into trees near Générac, France, killing its sole pilot. The accident occurred during a mission over a village, with reduced visibility from smoke contributing to the fatal impact.

Accident Overview and Immediate Circumstances On 1648 local time, a twin-engine aircraft operated by the Groupement d’avions de la sécurité civile (GASC) departed Nîmes-Garons Airport for a firefighting mission over Générac, a village situated approximately 5 km southwest of the airbase. The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft. While approaching the designated treatment zone, the aircraft struck trees and crashed, resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airframe. The pilot was killed in the accident. At the time of the incident, visibility was reduced due to thick smoke from the fire.

Probable cause

The official findings identified multiple contributing factors, including the pilot's limited experience on single-pilot firefighting missions, fatigue, overconfidence, and a failure to perceive the terrain. The pilot flew too low while approaching a hill, adopted a trajectory close to the flame front without anticipating turbulence, and maintained a strong bank while focused on protecting a dwelling. A local stall on the left wing caused a steep left bank, leading the pilot to recover the aircraft too low relative to the tree height, which the pilot had misjudged.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Aug 2019 Grumman S-2 Tracker accident near Générac, France?

A twin-engine firefighting aircraft crashed into trees near Générac, France, killing its sole pilot. The accident occurred during a mission over a village, with reduced visibility from smoke contributing to the fatal impact.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 Aug 2019 Grumman S-2 Tracker accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Aug 2019 involved a Grumman S-2 Tracker, registration F-ZBAA, operated by Sécurité civile, at Générac, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The official findings identified multiple contributing factors, including the pilot's limited experience on single-pilot firefighting missions, fatigue, overconfidence, and a failure to perceive the terrain. The pilot flew too low while approaching a hill, adopted a trajectory close to the flame front without…

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