The Italian National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) has launched an investigation into the accident that occurred last Friday, July 10, in Guspini, where a Canadair and a helicopter's bucket came into contact during firefighting operations.
"The AS332 helicopter, identification number OE-XKP, reported the shearing of the bucket attached to the cargo hook, following an in-flight contact, for reasons yet to be determined, between the bucket and a Canadair. The occupants of the two aircraft involved were unharmed, landing without further consequences," reads the statement published on the agency's website, which has launched a safety investigation into the incident.
The near-tragedy was revealed in a short video published on the Flight Sardinia Magazine website. The video shows the Superpuma and the Canadair approaching from opposite directions and colliding, with the Canadair catching the helicopter's steel cable holding the water bag used to put out the flames. The cable snapped, and the bag fell to the ground, fortunately without further injury.
(Unioneonline)