What happened
On February 14, 2022, at approximately 21:40 UTC, a PZL Mielec Dromader M-18-B, registration LV-CEQ, was involved in a fire incident at the Rincón de Santa María landing strip in Ituzaingó, Corrientes. The aircraft, operated by Agropecuaria Litoral S.R.L., had been performing aerial firefighting missions to combat regional forest fires throughout the day.
After completing seven successful water drops, the pilot was instructed to cease operations in the sector. The pilot decided to perform a final refueling at the airfield before returning to the base at Cañada Quiroz. While taxiing approximately 300 meters along the runway to take off from the opposite end, the pilot noticed fire at the front of the engine. The pilot immediately stopped the aircraft, shut down the engine, and attempted to use a handheld extinguisher. However, the fire spread rapidly, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft. Local firefighters arrived 15 to 20 minutes later, but the fire had already consumed most of the airframe.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's technical state and the sequence of events leading to the fire. Investigators analyzed photographic evidence of the wreckage and interviewed the pilot. While the aircraft's physical destruction made it difficult to pinpoint the exact ignition source, the investigation focused on the engine compartment. Additionally, investigators reviewed maintenance records obtained from the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC).
Findings
- The fire originated in the upper section of the engine.
- It is probable that a fuel leak near the carburetor came into contact with the high-temperature exhaust system, triggering the fire.
- The intense heat caused significant deformation and melting of the engine components.
- At the time of the incident, the aircraft's annual airworthiness rehabilitation had expired in January 2022, meaning the aircraft was not in a legal condition for flight.
Safety action
- Operators and owners must ensure all aircraft documentation and maintenance schedules strictly comply with current regulations, particularly before deploying aircraft for high-intensity operations such as aerial firefighting.