ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 322418
| Date: | Wednesday 20 April 2005 |
| Time: | 18:50 |
| Type: |  Lockheed P-3B Orion |
| Owner/operator: | Aero Union |
| Registration: | N926AU |
| MSN: | 185-5171 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1966 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 15614 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison T56-A10W |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 22 km of Chico, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Chico Airport, CA (CIC/KCIC) |
| Chico Airport, CA (CIC/KCIC) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The tanker aircraft had taken off from Chico qualification check flight for pilots who were scheduled to conduct firefighting operations during the upcoming fire season. The accident flight involved conducting practice drops of water over an area of rugged mountainous terrain located north of the Chico Airport. Prior to departing on the flight, the airplane was loaded with 2,550 gallons of water.
The Orion crashed and caught fire immediately following the training drop in the rugged terrain of the Lassen National Forest.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Terrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. Mountainous terrain was a factor."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
AP
FAA
NTSB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation