What happened
On July 23, 2007, a Bombardier Canadair CL-415, registration I-DPCX, was engaged in aerial firefighting operations near the Sirente-Velino Natural Park in Italy. The aircraft, operating under callsign CAN19, was tasked with combating several large-scale forest fires threatening local settlements, including Roccapreturo and Succiano.
After returning to Pescara Airport to refuel and undergo a crew change, the aircraft departed again, scooping water from the sea near Pescara before returning to the fire zone. During the mission, the crew communicated with the ground operations director, noting that the fire in Roccapreturo appeared controlled but acknowledging a new alarm in Succiano. The crew indicated they would attempt to drop water on the fire line despite limited visibility.
While maneuvering through the valley, the aircraft performed a right-hand turn, flying parallel to the western slope of Monte Offermo. As the aircraft entered a thick layer of white smoke produced by the wildfires, it entered a slight dive. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck the northern slope of Colle Sangro at an altitude of approximately 1,155 meters. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and serious injuries to the co-pilot.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition, the crew's flight experience, and the environmental factors present at the time of the accident. Investigators found that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition and had been maintained according to schedule. At the time of impact, the aircraft was configured for water dropping, with the water drop panel set to "ARMED."
The investigation also reviewed the crew's credentials. While the commander was an experienced pilot with over 6,000 total flight hours, his specific experience on the CL-415 was noted to be below the 500-hour minimum requirement specified in the operator's manual, having completed approximately 246 hours on the type. The investigation also noted that the local weather was characterized by high temperatures, strong winds, and significant turbulence caused by the active wildfires.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an inadequate assessment of flight altitude relative to the terrain by the crew.
- This error was compounded by critical environmental factors, including strong winds, localized turbulence, and severely degraded visibility caused by heavy smoke.
- The aircraft was operating in a high-stress environment with active forest fires and difficult atmospheric conditions.
- The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with the terrain.