Event Description
On 12 August 2023, at 07:00 UTC, an Air Tractor AT802A, registration I-SPEB, was involved in an accident on Lago Santa Croce (Belluno, Italy) during a training flight. After landing on the lake, the pilot attempted a subsequent takeoff with the water scoop system extended and the water tank full. This configuration increased drag and reduced acceleration. The pilot aborted the takeoff, which caused a sudden forward pitch and impact with the water surface. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller blades (bent, hub cracked), accessory gearbox, engine mount, and ventral fin. The pilot reported no injuries.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The aircraft, an Air Tractor AT802A, was performing a training flight. The pilot held valid medical and license credentials and had approximately 14,000 total flight hours, including about 2,800 hours on single-engine aircraft and 27 hours on the accident type since 17 June 2023, with 173 water landings. The aircraft's documents and maintenance checks were current. Weather conditions were reported as good and not relevant to the accident.
Pilot and Operator Statements
According to the pilot, the flight was a training exercise conducted in formation with another aircraft of the same type. After a reconnaissance of the area, the pilot planned a water scooping maneuver but decided to perform a "fast float" (rapid floating on water) instead. However, the aircraft had been preconfigured for scooping, and the pilot inadvertently activated the water scoop system after landing. During the subsequent takeoff attempt, the pilot noticed excessive drag and reduced performance due to the extended scoops and full tank. The takeoff was aborted, leading to a rapid deceleration, a pronounced nose-down attitude, and propeller contact with the water. The other aircraft completed its mission without issues.
The operator confirmed the pilot's account and added that the training flight was scheduled to compensate for a ten-day period without real firefighting missions. The operator speculated that inadvertent activation of the scoop system may have occurred while the pilot was applying force to the control bar during fast float navigation.
Cause
The accident occurred following an attempted takeoff in an unintended configuration with the water scoop system extended. This condition limited aircraft performance and, at the moment of aborting the takeoff, induced a sudden and excessive nose-down attitude, also favored by the weight of the water in the full tank. This caused the propeller to contact the water and resulting damage.