OBJECTIVES Overview DNR aviation program. Overview DNR aviation program. Review of the Easy Street Fire bucket incident. Review of the Easy Street Fire bucket incident. Mishap guide Mishap guide Ops manual Ops manual

Dave Doan Fire Aviation Manager, RP Div Dan Boyle Helicopter Program Coordinator C Lee Smith Mechanic sup Pete Peterson Lead Pilot Mechanics 3 full time 2 intermittent Pilots 9 full time Resource Protection Division

Joe Thorp Helitack Program Manager Crew Supervisor NRW Squad Boss Fuel Truck Driver 3- Fire Fighters NRW Squad Boss Fuel Truck Driver 3- Fire Fighters NRW Squad Boss Fuel Truck Driver 3- Fire Fighters SE Region Rex Reed SE Region Fire Manager

Aviation Program  1 Beech Craft King Air 200 airplane  1 Air Attack and plat form in Colville.  5 UH1H Huey  4 AH1H Cobra  10 fuel support trucks  PBY Contract expires Mar 2008  Future NE Region fixed wing?

DNR AVIATION POLICIES Flight time- 8 hours total 7 on the hook Flight time- 8 hours total 7 on the hook DNR Pilots will shut down every other fuel cycle while on fires. DNR Pilots will shut down every other fuel cycle while on fires. DNR helicopters will not be assigned as Medevac Helicopter. DNR helicopters will not be assigned as Medevac Helicopter. All air operations Positions will meet PMS qualifications. All air operations Positions will meet PMS qualifications.

DNR AVIATION POLICIES cont. DNR will provide 1 manager for up to three Helicopters on DNR fires. DNR will provide 1 manager for up to three Helicopters on DNR fires. Toe in or one skid landings will be approved by the DNR aviation manager, except in an emergency situation. Toe in or one skid landings will be approved by the DNR aviation manager, except in an emergency situation.

DNR AVIATION POLICIES cont. Safecom- Any Safecom filed on a DNR fire will be submitted to the Helicopter Program Coordinator within 4 days. Safecom- Any Safecom filed on a DNR fire will be submitted to the Helicopter Program Coordinator within 4 days. Safecoms on DNR helicopters will be processed through the controlling agency, but copies will be sent to the Helicopter Program Coordinator within 4 Days. Safecoms on DNR helicopters will be processed through the controlling agency, but copies will be sent to the Helicopter Program Coordinator within 4 Days.

DNR Maintenance Program  25 Hour Inspections  3.5 hrs prior  3.5 hrs beyond  150 Hour Inspection  Every 18 months  Cannot fly beyond 150 hrs  Can perform anytime prior to 150 hrs  Annual Inspection  At minimum once every 12 months

Summary total flight hrs. 637 total flight hrs. 90 fire responses. 90 fire responses total buckets dropped on fires total buckets dropped on fires.

Easy Street Fire July 2007 bucket incident review Play Video

Date: July 8, 2007 Date: July 8, 2007 Time: Approximately 1110 hrs Time: Approximately 1110 hrs Location: DNR SE Region, Wenatchee Wa. Location: DNR SE Region, Wenatchee Wa. Injuries: None Injuries: None

Mission- Conduct bucket drops in support of structure protection on a state mobilization fire. Mission- Conduct bucket drops in support of structure protection on a state mobilization fire.

One bucket was destroyed when the helicopter bucket contacted a Snohomish County brush truck. One brush truck received damage to the windshield and cab roof.

The Pilot was new to the DNR but was certified as PIC for bucket operations by 2 experienced DNR Pilots.

The report states the pilot saw a truck appear out of the smoke on his right side as he was setting up for the drop. The report states the Pilot saw trucks and houses at the end of the ridge road. The Pilot stated that he maneuvered between them with the bucket to continue the drop. The report states the Pilot saw trucks and houses at the end of the ridge road. The Pilot stated that he maneuvered between them with the bucket to continue the drop.

The Pilot report states “he felt a lurch”. He then turned the helicopter to see water had dropped behind the truck.

The Pilot returned to the water source to discover his bucket was damaged. The Pilot contacted the Helibase and advised he was returning to the Helibase (Cashmere airport) with a bad bucket. The Helibase Manager contacted the DNR Helicopter Coordinator from the new helibase location (wen airport) to inform him that a DNR Helicopter struck a truck with a bucket.

The DNR Coordinator contacted the Helicopter Manager to advise him that his Pilot had a bucket strike with a vehicle. The Coordinator instructed the Manager to remove the Pilot from flight status. The Helicopter Manager started the agency reporting process.

The Incident occurred during a transitional period from a type 3 to a type 2 incident command structure. The Pilot report stated he was approaching the drop zone low to keep the winds from blowing the water away from the established line.

The coordinator contacted Olympia maintenance, as the second pilot on scene inspected the helicopter. Following inspection the second pilot then took over PIC and resumed bucket support.

Findings Pilot had been properly trained and certified as PIC. The Pilot was flying to low for conditions”. Lack of radio communications between aviation assets and ground personnel played a role.

Findings cont. Drop zone was scattered with fire apparatus both above and below. A question remains as to whether the Pilot actually saw the truck or not because of his blind spot and smoke.

Findings cont. Visibility was a factor. The brush truck did have emergency lights on. Neither aircraft nor equipment was a factor. Weather was not a factor.

Questions