Incident Overview
On August 25, 2022, at 15:45 UTC, an Air Tractor AT-802A with registration LV-JWI was involved in an accident while conducting aerial firefighting operations. The incident occurred in the island zone northwest of San Pedro, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but the pilot emerged unharmed.
Operational Context
The aircraft departed from Aeroclub San Pedro at 15:20 UTC for its first flight of the day. It was carrying a full fuel load and approximately 2,270 liters (600 gallons) of water in its hopper. The maximum takeoff weight was within limits, with no evidence of overweight conditions or center of gravity issues. During the approach to the drop zone, the pilot received a radio communication indicating a change in the discharge point location.
Accident Sequence
While maneuvering at low altitude to position for the water drop, visibility was reduced to an estimated 1,000–1,500 meters due to smoke. The pilot configured the aircraft for a release at approximately 100 feet. During the turn, the right wingtip made contact with the terrain. In response, the pilot reduced engine power and adjusted the propeller pitch to feather, executing a controlled landing approximately 500 meters from the initial point of contact.
Aftermath and Investigation
The aircraft suffered significant damage to the forward and mid-fuselage belly, landing gear, propeller, and engine. The pilot exited the aircraft unassisted and was subsequently rescued by an Argentine Army helicopter. The investigation was conducted by the Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte (JST) under a systemic model focused on preventing future incidents rather than assigning blame.