Yes it does increase the load on an aircraft but.......... maintenance or lack of it was the factor in all three of those wing off accidents. There are over 1000 firebomber 802's flying. As I said they are not stressed for as much G as a normal ag aircraft, they drop 3 ton a time. There have been zero incidents of 802's loosing wings. Every ag pilot dumps loads for training and practice in every aircraft from Pawnee through to the 802 from solids to liquids. There are no supplements any any of the ag aircraft manuals about not dumping loads, it's part of the brief.
I have been flying ag since 1980 and flown most machinery including the 8 on firebombing. Design faults have been cause in the early 60's of a few accidents, ones since have been a lack of maintenance or negligence by the operator and is what ag pilots have to put up with to be employed. I still think gender reveals are a stupid act of any sort.
Last edited by Cedrik; 24th Mar 2024 at 11:20.