Fire on PZL Mielec Dromader M-18-B (LV-CEQ) During Taxi at Ituzaingó, Corrientes

Overview and Classification On 14 February 2022, at 21:40 UTC, a PZL Mielec Dromader M-18-B aircraft, registration LV-CEQ, was involved in an accident classified as fire/smoke without impact. The event occurred during the taxi phase at a declared suitable place (LAD) in Ituzaingó, Corrientes Province, Argentina. The aircraft was destroyed, and the sole occupant, the pilot in command, sustained no injuries. ## Operational Context The aircraft was owned by Agropecuaria Litoral S.R.L. and was engaged in aerial firefighting operations. During January and February 2022, active fires in fields and forested areas in Corrientes Province were combated by brigades and firefighters coordinated by the National Fire Management Service (SNMF) and the National Parks Administration (APN). The provincial government of Corrientes had declared the situation in the Ituzaingó area critical due to extensive forested areas and natural grasslands, exacerbated by a lack of rain and widespread drought. In response, five water-bombing aircraft, one observer aircraft, two SNMF helicopters, three fire trucks, heavy machinery, and support vehicles were deployed. The provincial government contracted Agropecuaria Litoral S.R.L. to participate in the firefighting operation. ## Flight Details and Sequence of Events On the day of the event, the LV-CEQ was based at Cañada Quiroz aerodrome in Corrientes Province and was assigned to the Ituzaingó area due to significant fire activity nearby. Operations were conducted from LAD 3013, Rincón de Santa María, located 9 km northeast of Ituzaingó. The site had a dirt surface measuring 808 meters by 20 meters, with magnetic runways 16/34 and an elevation of 83 meters. The aircraft completed seven water-dropping flights over different fire-affected areas during the morning and part of the afternoon. At approximately 20:00 UTC, the pilot was instructed to cease further water drops in the sector. In response, the pilot decided to make a final fuel load at LAD 3013 and return to base at Cañada Quiroz aerodrome. After completing the fuel load on the western end of the runway, the aircraft taxied approximately 300 meters with the intention of taking off from the opposite end. At that point, the pilot observed fire in the front part of the engine, stopped the taxi, shut down the engine, and exited the aircraft with a fire extinguisher. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire without success, and the fire rapidly spread to the entire aircraft. The pilot subsequently requested assistance from firefighters in the nearby locality of Ituzai.