Electra Clipped a Tree in Chino

[Mick G]

Just read that an L188 Air-tanker Clipped a tree while firefighting in Chino on Aug 23rd, but landed safely. Anybody else know more about this? I assume it was one of Air Spray's Electras? Does Conair have theirs still or is it just Air Spray and Buffalo now that operate the L188?

[magic wand]

You ask allot of questions in one post.
You said you "Just read that an L188 Air-tanker Clipped a tree while firefighting in Chino" - what did you read?

The incident in question is in the following link - it was near Chico, CA and yes it was Airspray.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/24 ... TxCSSklyo=

There is also an article on this site, with comments.
https://fireaviation.com/2020/09/06/loc ... retardant/

We could easily be ready about this on an obituary page - damn lucky to be alive!

Hopefully a full investigation will happen from the FAA, Aviation Fire agencies and an internal audit from AirSpray.

[Inverted2]

I watched an old ag pilot pound out a dent in his leading edge after clipping the top of a tree in Northern Ontario while spraying defoliant years ago. A screwdriver, broom handle and some paint. Got it out before the boss ever knew.

[mbav8r]

I watched an old ag pilot pound out a dent in his leading edge after clipping the top of a tree in Northern Ontario while spraying defoliant years ago. A screwdriver, broom handle and some paint. Got it out before the boss ever knew.

I have a couple issues with this, first of all, this is a reportable accident so never mind the boss Transport Canada should have been notified.
Second, there should have been a maintenance inspection to ensure it was just a dent and not structural, it’s this reason I’m a big supporter of on-board monitoring of aircraft parameters. Some pilots obviously can’t be trusted to own up to a hard landing, etc..

[pelmet]

Correct. It was near Chico which is in northern California north of SFO. I flew in there last year and noticed that Air Spray had a hangar there which surprised me. Do they have an American operation with American pilots.