The Russian Emergencies Ministry sent two Beriev Be-200 Altair water bomber jet seaplane upon Portugal’s request to assist it in battling forest fires last week. One Beriev Be-200 amphibian sustained minor damage when it hit the tops of trees while fighting a forest fire near Leiria, Portugal.
Overall, two Russian water bomber amphibious aircraft carried out 37 discharges of water, the total mass of which amounted to 444 tonnes, tackling fire in four spots and saving four settlements and two national parks.
One of them jet water bomber had a smaller accident on 14 August. The details of accident are on Aviation Safety Network site.
„The Beriev Be-200ES amphibious jet aircraft sustained damage when it hit the tops of trees while fighting a forest fire near Leiria, Portugal. The aircraft sustained damage to the right wing leading edge, right hand wing flaps which included serious dents and cuts. A safe return was made to Leiria Airport. The crew was not injured.”
The other Beriev Be-200 continues flying the waterbombing missions over Portugal.
Scource: Sputniknews
I am sat watching this plane doing circuits and bumps at a lake in Portugal Barrage do Alto Rabagio N041.76716 W007.73935. Totally out of the blue- your article explained what is going on. Mon 6 Sept 2000A hrs
Did you may have create photos about the Beriev Be-200? If yes, send to the Seaplane International Facebook site, please.