Introduction
On 18 July 2022, at 16:36 local time, a near mid-air collision occurred between two aircraft engaged in firefighting operations near Manresa, Barcelona, Spain. The aircraft involved were an Air Tractor AT-802, registration EC-LLT, operated by Martínez Ridao Aviación, and an Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3, registration EC-NXN, operated by Pegasus Aviación. Both aircraft were conducting aerial firefighting tasks under visual flight rules (VFR). No injuries were reported among the occupants.
Incident Sequence
At 15:10, a new wildfire started in Manresa, approximately 5 km from an existing fire being worked on since the previous day. Several aircraft were assigned to the new fire, including four AS 350 B3 helicopters (one being EC-NXN, call sign 50.51) and multiple airplanes, including EC-LLT (call sign TZ8). An aerial resources coordinator was aboard a separate helicopter (Eurocopter EC 120 B, EC-HHT) dispatched to manage the air assets.
At 16:34, the coordinator halted the helicopter circuit over a nearby reservoir to allow airplanes to perform water drops. Minutes later, he cleared the circuit, directing helicopters to proceed to the drop zone. As the lead helicopter (EC-NXN) moved toward the zone, it was warned by a following helicopter of an airplane (EC-LLT) converging on a near-collision course. The helicopter pilot executed a sharp left turn to avoid a collision.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the loss of separation directly resulted from the aerial resources coordinator's lack of situational awareness. The coordinator cleared the helicopter circuit to enter the fire zone without visually confirming that the airplanes had vacated the area. This lapse occurred because the airplane crews did not consistently follow the communication procedure established by the Autonomous Community of Catalonia for announcing their entry and exit to the drop zone.
Specifically, the coordinator had stopped the helicopter circuit to allow airplanes to operate. However, after clearing the circuit, the coordinator assumed the airplanes had left, but the AT-802 was still present. The airplane crew had not communicated their departure from the drop zone in accordance with the protocol, leading to the coordinator's misjudgment.
Recommendations
The report issued six safety recommendations: three directed to the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, one to the Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO), one to the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), and one to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. These recommendations aim to improve coordination procedures and communication practices among firefighting aircraft.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the critical importance of strict adherence to established communication protocols and the need for aerial coordinators to maintain positive visual contact before releasing aircraft into shared airspace. The avoidance maneuver successfully prevented a collision, but the investigation underscores systemic issues in coordination that require corrective action.