Canadair water bomber crash in Portugal

[Boac]

The pilots? Amazingly 'both survived', one critical.

[G-CPTN]

The pilots 'both survived'.

Amazing!

Fingers crossed for full recovery.

[PHXPhlyer]

OUCH!

PP

[PHXPhlyer]

My wish:
The turbine version converted to aerial RV.

PP

[TheGreenGoblin]

The pilots? Amazingly 'both survived', one critical.

Given the crush damage it is incredible that the pilots survived. One wishes them both a quick recovery.

[Rwy in Sight]

Best wishes to those hurt. Those 215 can be be very tricky to fly on a single engine even a normal day or so I was told by an officer rated on those aircraft.

[G-CPTN]

The pilot eventually died.

[tango15]

Some years ago now, I tried to convince the Portuguese Govt. to buy a couple of Beriev 200s for water bombing. They had already trialled the aircraft and found it successful. In the area where these fires occur, there are plenty of lakes, which can be and indeed were, used for topping up the water supply. The govt. said they had no money to buy (or lease, which was our original proposal) them. Our plan was to base them on the Iberian peninsula in the summer and then move them to the Antipodes for their summer. Every year, Portugal and Spain suffer significant forest fires and every year firefighters on the ground die trying to control them. Three have aleady died this summer.
The Canadair 215 is getting a bit long in the tooth at 46 years old and these aircraft really need replacing, especially given the job they do.

[CharlieOneSix]

[Rwy in Sight]

Some years ago now, I tried to convince the Portuguese Govt. to buy a couple of Beriev 200s for water bombing. They had already trialled the aircraft and found it successful. In the area where these fires occur, there are plenty of lakes, which can be and indeed were, used for topping up the water supply. The govt. said they had no money to buy (or lease, which was our original proposal) them. Our plan was to base them on the Iberian peninsula in the summer and then move them to the Antipodes for their summer. Every year, Portugal and Spain suffer significant forest fires and every year firefighters on the ground die trying to control them. Three have aleady died this summer.
The Canadair 215 is getting a bit long in the tooth at 46 years old and these aircraft really need replacing, especially given the job they do.

Are they agile enough for the landscape of the Iberian peninsula with the narrowish valleys and not many large flat areas. The same aircraft were trialled in Greece at a large fire but officials were not impressed.

[Boac]

Other pilot, not surprisingly, still 'critical'.

[AtomKraft]

The turbine conversions of these old water bombers must be a lot more powerful.
215T and 415.

[Rwy in Sight]

They are and much more productive in terms or water carried and drops per hour... I have the data somewhere but for now it is inaccessible. I just hope the other pilot will make it with no lasting negative effects

[Boac]

Unfortunately looking at the wreckage...........

[tango15]

Some years ago now, I tried to convince the Portuguese Govt. to buy a couple of Beriev 200s for water bombing. They had already trialled the aircraft and found it successful. In the area where these fires occur, there are plenty of lakes, which can be and indeed were, used for topping up the water supply. The govt. said they had no money to buy (or lease, which was our original proposal) them. Our plan was to base them on the Iberian peninsula in the summer and then move them to the Antipodes for their summer. Every year, Portugal and Spain suffer significant forest fires and every year firefighters on the ground die trying to control them. Three have aleady died this summer.
The Canadair 215 is getting a bit long in the tooth at 46 years old and these aircraft really need replacing, especially given the job they do.

Are they agile enough for the landscape of the Iberian peninsula with the narrowish valleys and not many large flat areas. The same aircraft were trialled in Greece at a large fire but officials were not impressed.

I've seen them doing simulated water drops in different situations and they seem to cope well. As is clear from the accident, it's difficult flying and requires a particular skill which you can't replicate in a simulator.

[Rwy in Sight]

They have higher operating speeds so they are not as manoeuvrable as the Canadair aircraft.

[G-CPTN]

Are the Beriovs not significantly larger aircraft than the Canadairs - and therefore less manoeuvrable?

[Rwy in Sight]

The CL-215 is 20.82 meters long while the Be-200 is 31.48 here while the wingspan is 28.6 m and 32.8 respectively.

[PHXPhlyer]

As I said previously, a Cl-415 or Be-200 with living space in the cabin, would make a great vehicle for an itinerant fire bomber with use as an aerial RV when off duty.
I want one of either.

PP

[Rwy in Sight]

Maybe along with some female technical crew from each manufacturer?