1 First Response Aircraft Accidents Managing the Risk David Bell, Capt., USAF 6 ARW/SEF Flight Safety Officer (813) MacDill AFB, FL

2Overview Priorities Hazards Investigation

3 Priorities Preserve Life –Recover survivors –Treat casualties

4 Priorities Preserve Property –Combat fire –Establish a perimeter (1/4 mile) Possibility of explosives Wide debris patterns

5 Hazards Flammables Explosives Electrical Pneumatic / Hydraulic Hazardous Materials Structural Environmental

6 Hazards Flammables –Fuel A Medium-size commercial or military aircraft can carry 25,000 gallons! Fighter size ~ 2000 gal –Hydraulic fluid When atomized Normally short lived, high heat

7 Hazards Flammables –Cargo Accelerants –On board Oxygen –Oxygen generators (ValuJet…) Combustibles –Mail, luggage

8 Hazards Explosives –Ejection seat charges –Survival equipment (signaling) –Weapons Military weapons are designed to survive impact without detonation, up to and including moderate post crash fire The recovery should then be left to trained Explosives Ordinance Disposal teams

9 Hazards 250 rounds of 20mm, 2 practice bombs??

10 Hazards Electrical –Aircraft main batteries remain live –Subsystems often have separate batteries –Many DC systems in or near cockpit –Most AC will be inactive with power loss, with engine running it’s deadly –Sparking ignition source

11 Hazards Ciphony Control Panel - battery powered

12 Hazards Pneumatic/Hydraulic –Cylindrical, spherical shapes Accumulators and Reservoirs –Accumulators hold pressure May suddenly release May explode under heating

13 Hazards Life raft - pneumatically self-actuated

14 Hazards Hazardous Materials –Aircraft components Hydrazine, etc. –Batteries (Acid, Lithium) –Cargo Everything from chemicals to paint –Liquid, Gaseous –Jet fuel itself is caustic

15 Hazards Structural –Aluminum Shatters, rips, melts Almost always leaves a sharp edge (thin) –Tires (often embedded or buried) Explosive - deadly Brakes may explode from heat –Peak temperature in mins

16 Hazards Front left cockpit - F-16

17 Hazards Structural –Carbon Fibers Breathing hazard Sharp splinters Hard to see (normally black) High performance aircraft Interferes with communications

18 Hazards Structural –Wreckage movement As pressure bleeds, flight controls shift Weakened undercarriage Fire damage Soft terrain

19 Hazards Environmental –Most crashes occur during approach or landing –Remainder normally in remote areas Bombing ranges Low level routes

20 Hazards Environmental –Wildlife In remote areas, not used to humans Keep yourself at the top of the food chain! –Exposure Limited shelter available Insects –Weather

21 Hazards Wildlife; water is waist deep

22 Investigation Military or NTSB? –Who are you going to call? Nearest Base geographically (Active duty) Respective service

23 Investigation Preservation is Paramount –Third priority (life, property) –May be declared National Security Area Classified material, aircraft –Treat the site as you would a crime scene Limit access Record personnel entering the site if possible (i.e. Rescue, EOD, etc.)

24 Investigation The position of wreckage can be critical –Do not attempt to move anything –Flight controls, location of landing gear, engines are all important –Orientation of cockpit –Panel instruments especially useful

25 Investigation –First team on site will be an Interim Board Arrival of On-Scene Commander Their job is to preserve the evidence for a Formal Board Thirty days to prepare a report

26 Questions?