CL-415 crash near Catania
Another sad news...
Once again, like in 90% of the accidents, the human factor comes first.
Sadly, what can be seen on these two videos is that the CL-415 was following the mountain's ridge. At that moment, he could not see the fire.
When the crew discovered the place, they decided to turn right hardly !
But the turning rate and the rate of descent were too high and the a/c begins to dive, with a wing angle around 70°...
(You can add the temperature and the altitude that sadly do not play for the plane)
The CL-415 was too low and heavy.
The crew decided to drop its water (which is falling outside the burning place), in an attempt to divert.. But it was too late to avoid the cliff. A wing touched the mountain, leading the a/c to a fatal crash.
Once again, it is not to criticize, but to analyse. The right decision would have been to abort over the ridge, to maintain the altitude, turn left and come back with steady wings, then dive after the cliff, through the mountain pass.
After releasing its water, the CL-415 would have had more energy and lift to pull-up.
I do not know the Italian firefighting in detail. But we also use te same CL-415 fleet in France. Most of the pilots are former Air Force and Navy jet fighters. Some were flying with "patrouille de France".
I have many friends doing that job.
But even if they have great skills, they are usually guided by a helicopter the find the right place and the best angle of attack.
Rest in peace buddies
https://agi-cdn.thron.com/static/LNPZRL ... .mp4?xseo=
https://www.lasicilia.it/video/video/sc ... o-1935537/
/reeve.gif)
