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PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

Aircraft | Contracts | Facilities | Maintenance | Operations | Personnel Contractors | Personnel Government


SYSTEM:  SEAT, Aircraft

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Capabilities High density altitude affects the aircraft performance

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Assign appropriate SEAT aircraft for mission and typical DA. Conduct pre-mission performance planning. Reinforce high/hot/heavy training. Complete load calculation before flight.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Inappropriate aircraft for mission

Possible

Critical

High

Ensure SEAT is appropriate for temperatures, altitude, terrain, fuel type and mission. Receive feedback from pilots and aerial supervisor. If not effective, order different/additional aircraft.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Maintenance Mechanical failure

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Pilot and SEMG monitor maintenance schedule. Vendor follows maintenance/overhaul schedule. Pilot reviews and understands emergency procedures.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Aircraft improperly maintained

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Follow contract/FAA requirements and aircraft maintenance manual. Aircraft inspectors check that FAA maintenance requirements are met. Pilot performs/ensures that daily pre- and post-flight inspections are complete and that all life and time limit maintenance items are completed per maintenance manual.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Collision Avoidance Visibility

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Keep windscreen clean. Aircraft will have high-visibility paint scheme. Pilot and ground resources must maintain situational awareness. Only fly during VFR conditions.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Un-used or inoperable high-visibility aircraft lighting systems

Possible

Critical

High

Landing and strobe lights need to be maintained and utilized as required by contract and aerial supervision guide. If lighting is inoperable, aircraft will return to base until repaired.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Congested airspace, military airspace, uncontrolled airports

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Aircraft will have operable collision avoidance system (TCAS), rate-of-climb indicator, gyro, and aeronautical charts for area of operations. Pilot will review known aerial hazards prior to flight. Practice see and avoid.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Aircraft Carding and Pilot Inspection Process Lack of standardization

Possible

Moderate

Medium

Ensure implementation of standardized SEAT aircraft and pilot inspection process. Train inspectors on new standards. Ensure SEMGs are knowledgeable on pre-use inspection process.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Equipment Aviation maintenance inspectors unfamiliar with SEAT aircraft

Possible

Critical

High

Train and utilize more Interagency aviation maintenance inspectors (include all agencies) with past SEAT program experience and knowledge.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Locations of cockpit controls and switches not consistent/standardized

Possible

Moderate

Medium

Establish standard configuration in SEATs. Allow relief pilots time for orientation in each aircraft prior to mission operations.

Rare

Negligible

Low

Inadequate pre-flight/post-flight inspections

Possible

Critical

High

Agency reps and vendor personnel should ensure adequate revenue time for pre- and post-flight inspections. Document pre- and post-flight inspections daily.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Communications Changing technology and lack of training

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

During the inspection and carding process ensure contractors (pilots) are skilled with equipment provided–GPS, VHF and UHF radios, AFF, etc.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Communication with non-federal fire departments - lack of radio equipment compatibility (narrow banding and frequencies)

Possible

Critical

High

Continue to work with state, city and county fire departments to meet future federal standards and compatibility issues. Work with national agency/interagency radio program leaders to ensure the policies they develop are compatible with aviation requirements.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Inadequate frequency management

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Conduct effective air base in-briefings, including relief pilots. Ensure pilot has adequate time for orientation/programming before mission flights. Conduct frequent AARs and/or specialized training simulation exercises. Perform periodic reviews of frequency lists and avionics equipment operations. Check radio systems following days off. Ensure that positive communications are established.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

No communications between SEAT pilot and ground/air ops

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Follow appropriate checklists and procedures. Do not drop on fire line unless sure area is clear of ground personnel. If no contact can be established on incident return to base.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Radio frequency congestion

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Make alternative frequencies readily available and known. Order additional frequencies as needed. Utilize AFF when possible to reduce congestion. Maintain effective working relationships with frequency coordinators. During high-fire activity consider ordering standalone frequency coordinator.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Lack of flight following frequencies

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Request local flight following frequencies whenever possible. Utilize standardized AFF procedures. Utilize national flight following if necessary. Utilize Air Guard as a last resort for initial contact for flight following.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

 

Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).

 

 

Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505