What happened
On March 18, 2005, a Bombardier Canadair CL-415, registration I-DPCK, was engaged in aerial firefighting operations near Seravezza, Italy. While performing a water drop to combat a forest fire, the aircraft struck the guard wire of a high-voltage power line. The impact caused the right float to sustain significant damage and eventually detach from the aircraft.
The collision caused the guard wire to snap, leading to a structural failure on the left wing. A tear in the wing tank resulted in a significant fuel leak, which ignited due to sparks generated during the impact. The resulting intense fire spread toward the engine and fuselage. As the aircraft flew toward the coast, the fire compromised the aircraft's controllability. The crew attempted an emergency landing at Pisa, but the aircraft performed a sudden pitch-up followed by a sharp left turn and a dive, ultimately crashing into a private residence in Vittoria Apuana. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the flight path, the structural damage to the I-DPCK, and the operational environment. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's impact with the electrical infrastructure and the subsequent sequence of mechanical failures and fire development. The investigation also reviewed the crew's experience, the operator's manuals, and the communication protocols between the aircraft and ground personnel. Notably, toxicological analysis of the commander's blood revealed the presence of ethanol.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision with the power line guard wire, caused by an improper approach trajectory toward the fire front.
- Reduced visibility due to heavy smoke from the forest fire hindered the crew's ability to identify obstacles.
- A lack of established radio communication between the aircraft and ground teams meant the crew was not warned about the presence of active high-voltage lines.
- The crew consisted of two pilots utilizing the "PIC Frozen" status, with the commander having very limited recent experience in the command role (approximately 89 hours).
- The operator's manual lacked clear instructions regarding task sharing during firefighting missions and precautions for operating near active power lines.
- The intense heat from the fire entering the cockpit through a broken window significantly degraded the crew's ability to manage the emergency.