Preliminary Findings On Colorado Air Tanker Crash

Using air tankers to fight raging wildfires remains a risky business as a recent fatal accident under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) graphically shows. On April 15, 2008 just outside Fort Carson, Colorado, an Air Tractor AT-602 (N602AA) crashed killing the pilot. The Air...

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Using air tankers to fight raging wildfires remains a risky business as a recent fatal accident under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) graphically shows.

On April 15, 2008 just outside Fort Carson, Colorado, an Air Tractor AT-602 (N602AA) crashed killing the pilot.

The Air Tractor AT-602 single-engine air tanker was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Fort Carson. The special use aircraft was operated for the Department of Defense for firefighting missions and registered to Aero-Applicators, Sterling, CO.

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Sterling.

According to the registered owner, they were contacted by the Colorado State Forest Service Pueblo Dispatch and asked to assist with aerial fire suppression efforts at the 9,800-acre Training Area 25 near Fort Carson. The airplanes departed at 1700, with full fuel tanks and 500 gallons of water and Class A foam.

A U.S. Forest Service (USFS) air-to-ground contact, who was located near the intended drop area, stated that he was in radio contact with two airplanes when they arrived to the wildfire area. The USFS contact gave the accident airplane pilot the intended drop location, a line of pine trees located to the north of a gravel road, and the existing wildfire.

Prior to the live drop, the accident pilot performed a dry run, and the second airplane flew approximately 500 feet overhead as a spotter. After completing the dry run, the Air Tractor circled around to the south and east to set up for the live drop, which was an east to west flight pattern. The aircraft flew to the west over the top of a tall pine tree, and the pilot released the load approximately 500 feet west of the intended drop location. The load was dropped on top of the ground contact and his vehicle.

After a second or two, the overwatch pilot reported a series of maydays and "I'm going down." The USFS firefighter looked up to the west and observed the accident aircraft's right wing impact the terrain. He stated the wind was from the southwest and gusting to 30 to 40 knots.

The accident site was located on a grass covered hill adjacent to highway 115 at an elevation of approximately 6,600 feet mean sea level. The airplane came to rest in an upright position on a measured magnetic heading of 340 degrees.

Examination of the wreckage showed that the right wing was crushed aft and bent up, and the fuselage was crushed to the right. The main landing gear struts and wheel assemblies were separated. The left wing was bent forward and the aft fuselage attach fitting was separated. The right horizontal stabilizer was bent aft and up, and the left horizontal stabilizer was bent forward. The 5-blade propeller assembly was separated from the propeller shaft, and one blade was separated from the hub.

The fatal accident remains under investigation by the NTSB and accident investigators prepare for additional aircraft losses as the U.S. wildfire fire season heats up.