Edna Fire Air Tanker Accident Fatality 1998

Airtanker Pilot Nagel was killed in the crash of a Grumman TS-2A airtanker when he misjudged his maneuvering altitude and impacted the terrain. He had made two drops on the Mount Edna fire near Banning, California and was preparing to make a third. Other factors that contributed to the crash were the mountainous terrain, tailwind conditions, and turbulence in the area. Airtanker Pilot Nagel was an employee of San Joaquin Helicopters, a contractor to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.