Horrifying moment firefighter plane explodes after hitting an overhead cable, killing the pilot, while tackling a blaze in Chile
This is the horrifying moment a firefighter plane explodes after hitting an overhead wire while battling a fire in Chile.
Spaniard Fernando Solans Robles, 58, was killed when he and a colleague were mobilized to fight a fire near an airport in Talca, central Chile.
Footage of the tragedy showed the plane exploding in a ball of flames and crashing next to a busy highway after hitting power lines.
Three people on the ground were injured in the incident, which happened just before 4:30 pm local time yesterday.
They are said to have been in a car that was hit when the plane crashed. Initial local reports described their condition as serious.
Spaniard Fernando Solans Robles, 58, was killed when he and a colleague were mobilized to fight a fire near an airport in Talca in central Chile (photo on the plane before the accident)
Footage of the tragedy showed the plane exploding in a ball of flames (pictured above) and crashing next to a busy highway after hitting power lines
Three people on the ground were injured in the incident, which happened just before 4:30 pm local time yesterday. Footage shows the burning plane crashing to the ground (photo: just before the crash)
They are believed to have been traveling in a car that was hit when the plane crashed (aftermath shown). Initial local reports described their condition as serious
The “highly experienced” pilot, who died instantly, had been a commercial airline pilot in Europe before entering the aerial firefighting sector with a private company assisting the Chilean National Forest Corporation CONAF.
The private non-profit organization, funded by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture, said in a statement late yesterday: “We regret to report that on January 15 at approximately 4:30 p.m., a plane crash occurred in the municipality of Talca during firefighting operations. .
‘As a result of this unfortunate incident, Spaniard Fernando Solans died.
“He was a pilot of the Turbo Trush model aircraft of the airline Air Andes Chile SPA, which provides services to CONAF.
‘Three people were also injured in the incident.
“CONAF extends its condolences to the family of Mr. Solans, who becomes part of the legacy of martyrs who gave their lives to safeguard the heritage of our country and protect the lives of its people.
“CONAF is actively cooperating with the authorities investigating the accident and will provide all available information to help clarify the causes and circumstances in which this incident occurred.”
Francisco Pulgar Castillo, a member of parliament serving the Chilean Maule region of which Talca is part, added in an online tribute to the victim: “I would like to express my sincere condolences for the death of Fernando Solans Robles, a Spanish pilot with extensive experience in fighting forest fires. , who tragically lost his life while providing services to CONAF in combating a fire threat in the Panguilemo sector of Talca province.
“His sacrifice in the arduous task of fighting fires and protecting flora and fauna leaves an indelible legacy.
“I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Air Andes Chile Company affected by this irreparable loss.
Images show the moment the plane caught fire (left). The fireball was visible from almost a mile away (right)
Crash witness Adolfo Saez said: ‘The second plane (pictured) struck two poles and flew across the road in flames before crashing into a parked truck’
The witness added: ‘If our driver had not reduced the speed he was going when the first plane passed us, we would have been directly under the second one.’
“In this moment of pain, we also extend our words of solidarity to CONAF, recognizing their joint work and shared commitment to protecting our forests.”
Chilean President Gabriel Boric tweeted: “Every year thousands of people undertake the difficult but noble task of fighting forest fires.
“Today we must mourn the death of pilot Fernando Solans, who provided services to CONAF.
“My respect and condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Crash witness Adolfo Saez said: ‘The first pilot flew very low and left the driver of the car I was in a bit shocked.
‘The second plane struck two poles and flew across the road in flames before crashing into a parked truck.
“If our driver hadn’t slowed down when the first plane passed us, we would have been right under the second.”