A plane flipped over in the air and turned into a huge fireball before crashing on a main road.
The low-flying, light aircraft collided with a power pole.
The pole breaks in half as the plane goes out of control
The aircraft bursts into flames before it even hits the ground.
The plane crashes on the road as black smoke and flames fill the air.
The pilot was killed in the crash on Route 5 in Talca south west of Santiago, Chile, yesterday (15 Jan).
Three people travelling in a car were injured in the accident, according to local reports.
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The pilot was ironically battling a forest blaze in the area of Panguilemo when it clipped the electricity pole.
Eyewitnesses said the aircraft was flying low over the road at the time.
The pilot was reportedly descending in preparation for releasing its water load.
Several bystanders were able to film the moment the plane exploded in a huge fireball.
The National Forest Corporation (CONAF) identified the pilot as 58-year-old Spanish national Fernando Solans Robles.
They said the pilot had “vast experience in aerial firefighting” and that he provided services to the company Air Andes Chile SPA.
The authority said in a statement: “CONAF is actively working with the authorities to investigate the accident, and will provide all the background information to help clarify the cause and circumstances under which this unfortunate event occurred.”
Chilean Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, 59, said: “We would like to express our deepest sorrow for the death of Spanish pilot Fernando Solans, whose company provides services contracted by CONAF.
“He was fighting a fire next to the Panguilemo Aerodrome and gave his life.”
An investigation into the accident is ongoing.
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