The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada
Air Tractor; Olney, Texas
Office of Aviation Services; Boise, Idaho
M&M Air Service of Beaumont Inc; Beaumont, Texas
Bureau of Land Management
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada
Air Tractor; Olney, Texas
Office of Aviation Services; Boise, Idaho
M&M Air Service of Beaumont Inc; Beaumont, Texas
Bureau of Land Management
M & M Air Service of Beaumont Inc
Sarita Aerial Contractors Inc
Location: Elgin, NV
Accident Number: WPR20LA246
Date & Time: July 30, 2020, 12:56 Local
Registration: N8510M (A1); N1558W (A2)
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT802 (A1); Air Tractor AT802 (A2) Injuries: 1 Fatal (A1); 1 Fatal (A2)
Flight Conducted Under: Public aircraft (A1); Public aircraft (A2)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A1)
Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N8510M
Model/Series: AT802 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Designator Code:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A2)
Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N1558W
Model/Series: AT802 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time: 12:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 37°C /2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information (A1)
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.361667,-114.56639 (est)
Wreckage and Impact Information (A2)
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: Unknown
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.361667,-114.56639 (est)
Location: Elgin, NV
Accident Number: WPR20LA246A
Date & Time: 07/30/2020, 1256 PDT
Registration: N8510M
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT802
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Public Aircraft
On July 30, 2020, about 1256 Pacific daylight time, two Air Tractor AT-802A airplanes, N8510M and N1558W, were destroyed when they were involved in an accident near Elgin, Nevada. The pilots of both airplanes were fatally injured. The airplanes were operated as public use firefighting flights.
The airplanes were functioning as single-engine airtankers (SEATs) for the Bureau of Land Management providing aerial firefighting services at the time of the accident. According to automatic dependent surveillance broadcast data (ADS-B) and witness statements, the airplanes departed Mesquite, Nevada as a flight of two about 1225 to deploy their third load of fire retardant that day. ADS-B data showed that N8510M was in lead and N1558W was in trail as they flew northeast towards a designated fire traffic area in a climb. At 1252:47, the pilot of N8510M started a descent from 7,100 ft msl accompanied by a slight right turn to the north and then he turned west about 15 seconds later. N1558W followed the movements of N8510M from about 1,500 ft behind him. About this time a lead airplane had begun to escort the flight of two SEATs to their intended drop area. At 1254:37, N8510M turned left to a southeast heading and descended from about 6,000 ft msl, with N1558W still about 1,500 ft in trail. N1558W began a turn to the southeast a few seconds later and descended from 6,100 ft msl, but when they leveled out, N1558W was about 500 ft in trail of and 100 ft below N8510M. The data showed that the airplanes were in a descent about 400 ft above ground level when the ADS-B data ceased temporarily at 1955:23 for N8510M and at 1955:28 for N1558W. The data for N8510M resumed at 1255:38 and showed the airplane in a climb along a southeast heading. The track for N1558W resumed at 1255:45 and showed the airplane in a climb on a similar heading about 70 ft in trail and 125 ft below N8510M.
Video recorded by a ground witness captured both airplanes seconds before their collision, which showed N8510M descend to a low altitude, deploy fire retardant, and then immediately begin a shallow climb. The video showed N1558W following very close in trail of N8510M during this time. N1558W then deployed fire retardant and began a rapid climb. Witnesses in nearby firefighting aircraft stated that they heard the pilot of N1558W announce over the radio that he had retardant on his windshield and was initiating a go-around. According to witnesses on the ground, as N1558W climbed, it suddenly began a left turn and collided with N8510M. Both airplanes then descended rapidly to the ground.
Postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that N8510M was mostly consumed by a postimpact fire. The wings and forward fuselage of N1558W came to rest about 315 ft beyond N8510M and did not burn. The tail section of N1558W, was located about 450 ft northwest of the forward fuselage and was partially damaged by postimpact fire.
The wreckages were retained for further examination.
Figure 1: Flight track of N1558W and N8510M
Figure 2: Flight track and accident sites
Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N8510M
Model/Series: AT802 A
Aircraft Category:Airplane
Amateur Built:No
Operator:On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time: 1256 PDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 37°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable / , Variable
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Mesquite, NV (67L)
Destination: Mesquite, NV (67L)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire:On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.361667, -114.566389 (est)
Location: Elgin, NV
Accident Number: WPR20LA246B
Date & Time: 07/30/2020, 1256 PDT
Registration: N1558W
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT802
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Public Aircraft
On July 30, 2020, about 1256 Pacific daylight time, two Air Tractor AT-802A airplanes, N8510M and N1558W, were destroyed when they were involved in an accident near Elgin, Nevada. The pilots of both airplanes were fatally injured. The airplanes were operated as public use firefighting flights.
The airplanes were functioning as single-engine airtankers (SEATs) for the Bureau of Land Management providing aerial firefighting services at the time of the accident. According to automatic dependent surveillance broadcast data (ADS-B) and witness statements, the airplanes departed Mesquite, Nevada as a flight of two about 1225 to deploy their third load of fire retardant that day. ADS-B data showed that N8510M was in lead and N1558W was in trail as they flew northeast towards a designated fire traffic area in a climb. At 1252:47, the pilot of N8510M started a descent from 7,100 ft msl accompanied by a slight right turn to the north and then he turned west about 15 seconds later. N1558W followed the movements of N8510M from about 1,500 ft behind him. About this time a lead airplane had begun to escort the flight of two SEATs to their intended drop area. At 1254:37, N8510M turned left to a southeast heading and descended from about 6,000 ft msl, with N1558W still about 1,500 ft in trail. N1558W began a turn to the southeast a few seconds later and descended from 6,100 ft msl, but when they leveled out, N1558W was about 500 ft in trail of and 100 ft below N8510M. The data showed that the airplanes were in a descent about 400 ft above ground level when the ADS-B data ceased temporarily at 1955:23 for N8510M and at 1955:28 for N1558W. The data for N8510M resumed at 1255:38 and showed the airplane in a climb along a southeast heading. The track for N1558W resumed at 1255:45 and showed the airplane in a climb on a similar heading about 70 ft in trail and 125 ft below N8510M.
Video recorded by a ground witness captured both airplanes seconds before their collision, which showed N8510M descend to a low altitude, deploy fire retardant, and then immediately begin a shallow climb. The video showed N1558W following very close in trail of N8510M during this time. N1558W then deployed fire retardant and began a rapid climb. Witnesses in nearby firefighting aircraft stated that they heard the pilot of N1558W announce over the radio that he had retardant on his windshield and was initiating a go-around. According to witnesses on the ground, as N1558W climbed, it suddenly began a left turn and collided with N8510M. Both airplanes then descended rapidly to the ground.
Postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that N8510M was mostly consumed by a postimpact fire. The wings and forward fuselage of N1558W came to rest about 315 ft beyond N8510M and did not burn. The tail section of N1558W, was located about 450 ft northwest of the forward fuselage and was partially damaged by postimpact fire.
The wreckages were retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N1558W
Model/Series: AT802 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Bureau of Land Management
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time: 1256 PDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 37°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable / , Variable
Lowest Ceiling:None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Mesquite, NV (67L)
Destination: Mesquite, NV (67L)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: Unknown
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.361667, -114.566389 (est)
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
David Blake Haynes
March 17, 1958 - July 30, 2020
David Blake Haynes, age 62 of Arkadelphia, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Caliente, NV from injuries sustained in a fire-fighting airplane accident. He was born March 17, 1958, in Little Rock, AR to Billy Joe and Mary Jo Taylor Haynes of Monticello.
He graduated from Monticello High School and attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Blake, a well-acclaimed commercial pilot, amassed over 30,000 hours of flight time. He began his flying career when he earned his private pilot license under the instruction of his father. He continued flight lessons and got his commercial pilot license. He flew as a crop duster for KP Flying Services in Watson, AR, and was featured on the front cover of Trade-A-Plane in February, 2001.
Blake flew for Kalitta Air in Detroit, MI, and then returned and had his own agriculture flying service in Dumas, AR. He has flown with M&M Flight Service in Beaumont, TX for the past 25 years spraying timber and fighting forest fires throughout the United States.
He was predeceased by an infant sister, Terry Gayle; his paternal grandparents, Archie and Tannie Haynes; and his maternal grandparents, Johnny and Ludella Taylor. Along with his mother and father, Blake is also survived by his daughter, Amanda and her future husband, John Bowers of Saginaw, TX; a grandson, Hudson Blake Bowers; a brother, Larry Haynes and wife Polly of Andover, KS; and three nephews, Joseph, Paul and Mark; great aunt, Pauline Owen of DesArc; aunt, Gloria and Sherman Moore of Little Rock; aunt, Wanda and Dan Lawdermilk of Stuttgart; uncle, Dennis Haynes and Kathy MacKay of Hazen; and cousins, Carol and Gil Plant, Sandy Haynes and Curtis, John, Tracy, Patti Sample.
https://www.stephensondearman.com
The planes collided at about 1 p.m. Thursday fighting the Bishop Fire, about 150 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
"They had loaded fire retardant out of Mesquite, Nevada and were fighting the fire when the planes collided, killing each pilot," said Mitchell.
"One plane was based at M & M in Winnie, the other we keep in Fort Stockton in West Texas," said Mitchell. "That one was designated to fight fires in West Texas and out west. The other based here had a dual role, used in our work with the rice industry and for firefighting. One pilot had been an employee of ours for 20 years. The other pilot had also been firefighting for a long time. This was his first year to work for us. Both were experienced, Level 1 pilots."
Mitchell said they had a pilot die about a decade ago and it's always tough to lose one of their own.
"Very tough," said Mitchell. "We work together. We're like a family. The news traveled through the fire industry very quickly. It traveled across the world to Australia. We're like a firefighting family."
LINCOLN COUNTY, Nev. (From our Sinclair affiliate KSNV in Nevada) - UPDATE Thursday 8:30 PM| The Bureau of Land Management says that both pilots in the crash were killed.
"We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the two pilots and to all those working with the BLM Nevada Ely District," said BLM Nevada State Director Jon Raby.
The single-engine air tankers like the ones involved in the crash are used to support firefighters on the ground.
The incident remains under investigation.
ORIGINAL| Two air tankers collided while trying to contain a wildfire near Caliente, officials said Thursday afternoon.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, two single-engine Air Tractor AT8T airplanes were deployed to help battle the Bishop Fire, about 17 miles southwest of Caliente.
Authorities said they collided around 1:00 p.m. near the intersection of Kane Springs Road and Riggs Road and that one person was aboard each aircraft at the time of the crash.
Several fire crews were said to be establishing an anchor point and constructing a line around the fire sometimes Wednesday, officials said.
Records showed the aircraft were based out of Cedar City, Utah and had previously been used to fight several fires in Southern Utah.
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputies did not immediately respond to request for details on the pilots' conditions.
The FAA. the National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of the Interior will investigate the crash.
https://kfdm.com
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