The accident with the Boeing 737-300 firefighter that occurred on February 6 in Western Australia had the first images released.
The Coulson Aviation aircraft was being used on firefighting missions in Fitzgerald River National Park when it performed what appears to have been a forced landing in the middle of a bushy plain..
A video taken from an airplane was released by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) showing the Boeing 737 still on fire, but with the front part of the fuselage preserved, which possibly allowed the two pilots to escape.
Follow ADN: Facebook | Twitter
Subsequent images show the aircraft mostly destroyed by fire. Coulson Aviation employees, who were rescued by a helicopter, are expected to be heard by authorities investigating the crash in Perth.
The plane registration N619SW had been based at Busselton-Margaret River Airport since mid-December and had been carrying out firefighting missions in the region for a few days.
It had taken off at 3:25 pm (local time) to carry out two launches of retardant material. After a first foray, the 737 performed a second orbit at the site when it crashed.
Coulson has another aircraft in West Australian government service, a C-130 Hercules turboprop, which has temporarily suspended operations.
