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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

NWCG Standards for Aviation Risk Management, PMS 530

NWCG Aviation Risk Management Workbook, PMS 530-1

How to Use Workbook

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Fixed Wing Risk Assessments

Helicopter Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Other Risk Assessments

 

Operations

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

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

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SYSTEM:  SEAT, Operations

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Missions Inefficient use of SEATs may result in unnecessary risk exposure to SEAT pilot and ground personnel. (risk vs. gain)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 SEAT pilot, fire managers, dispatchers, line personnel, and aerial supervisors need proper education/training on use of SEATs. Use AAR as mitigation tool to prevent re-occurrence. Conduct pre- and post-mission briefings. Review How to Refuse Risk protocols.

Possible

Moderate

Medium
Flying low level at operational weights and airspeeds in areas with hazards

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Perform high-level reconnaissance prior to descending to work in the low-level environment. Utilize aerial supervision/leadplanes when available. Utilize proper aircraft energy management techniques. Receive thorough in-briefing on area hazards.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Inexperienced personnel-government and contractors

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Agency and contractors need to evaluate required training to determine if personnel are staying current with program needs. Provide training at beginning of season and exercises/simulations throughout season. During operations ensure there are adequately trained and experienced personnel to mentor trainees.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
A sense of urgency may be placed on contractor personnel at various points in the mission

Possible

Critical

High

 Address the safety vs. urgency issue as a special-emphasis item during in-briefing with contractor and agency employees. Reinforce this throughout the entire operational period. Utilize Go/No-Go checklists. Recognize pilot is final decision maker for whether flight occurs.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Drop height minimums

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Maintain 60-ft. obstacle clearance as the minimum descent altitude for all fire operations except during takeoff and landing.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Poor fuel management

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Monitor fuel quantities. Monitor fuel flow vs time. Follow fuel transfer procedures. Allow enough time for pre-flight and flight planning. Know refueling locations. Query other pilots on fuel status and availability for planned route.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Single pilot cockpit workload

Possible

Catastrophic

High

 Maintain sterile cockpit policy, minimize in-flight diversions and frequency changes. Utilize aerial supervision to decrease pilot workload.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Wake turbulence

Possible

Critical

High

 Exercise caution when in congested airspace or trailing other aircraft. Allow enough space between larger airtankers in front of SEATs during operations, especially during drops.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Lack of standardized dispatch form

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure that SEMGs verify all dispatch information. Refer to the SABO for required minimum dispatch information. Implement utilization of national standard aircraft dispatch form.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Ramp/taxi operations and communications

Almost Certain

Critical

High

 Establish local ramp/taxi protocols in cooperation with local airport operations prior to utilization. Ensure adequate ingress and egress to the ramp. Ensure thorough in-briefing and monitor assigned ramp frequency. Utilize FWPT/RAMP when loading multiple aircraft.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Environment Conflicting airspace environment

Possible

Critical

High

 Local agency must provide orientation and situational awareness overview to SEAT pilots on Special Use Airspace, MTRs, TFRs etc. Utilize updated electronic equipment if possible [e.g., Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast in (ADS-B in)]. Assure that dispatch and aviation program personnel are trained in procedures for SUA and on local Airspace Boundary Plan. Use aerial supervision when available. Practice see and avoid.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Hazardous and extreme weather conditions

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Confirm updated weather information resources are available. Utilize updated electronic equipment if possible. Confirm that red-flag warnings are communicated. Ensure updates on changing weather conditions are shared between pilots, airbase mangers, dispatchers, etc. Delay flight or cancel if necessary. Go/No-Go is PIC decision. Ensure base operating plan identifies trigger points for extreme weather conditions. 

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Hazards and extreme terrain

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Get an adequate mission briefing and use performance planning to prevent CFIT events. Perform high level reconnaissance prior to descending to the low-level environment. Use aerial supervision when available. Utilize electronic map technology if possible.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Congested areas and urban interface

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Comply with congested area policies and ensure that aerial supervision is in place or has been requested.

Possible

Critical

High
Retardant Loading Pilot fatigue during hot loading operations (less time out of cockpit)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure pilot has adequate hydration and food to sustain operations.  Pilot should get out of aircraft during fueling operations (no hot fueling), at fuel cycle in between hot loading operations.  Open window when loading for fresh air.

Possible

Critical

High
Overfilling and mixing errors

Possible

Critical

High

 Utilize a mass flow meter when loading if possible. Vendor and agency personnel will review and follow mixing and loading procedures, including use of hand signals, listed in base operating plan. Pilot and base manager will be notified immediately if aircraft is overfilled.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Communications Lack of available frequencies

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Manage available frequencies as best as possible. Request additional frequencies as needed and release frequencies in a timely manner when no longer needed. Do not change frequencies in the middle of a shift without allowing adequate time for SEAT pilots to re-program radios. Train all users in radio discipline. Utilize AFF when possible.

Possible

Critical

High
Inadequate clarification of chain of command (who is in charge)

Possible

Critical

High

 Validate tactical (A/G and A/A) contacts identified on the aircraft dispatch form. Ensure the pilot has a copy and validate frequencies during pre-mission planning.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Performance Planning Lack of planning - incorrect calculation of allowable retardant load; weight and balance

Possible

Critical

High

 Pilots need to ensure that proper weight and balance and performance planning is completed and shared with base personnel. Utilize appropriate aircraft performance charts for the area of operations. Base personnel should be aware of trigger points for downloading retardant, water, etc. PIC will inform ground personnel on need for downloads.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Lack of information on incident conditions

Possible

Critical

High

 Brief utilizing the IAP for the daily objectives/assignments, frequencies, assigned aircraft, predicted fire behavior and weather. Utilize national standard aircraft dispatch form. Obtain as much information as possible from dispatch, other aerial and ground resources. Obtain information from pilot after initial load on necessary mitigation. Use aerial supervision when available. PIC has final authority on Go/No-Go. Monitor AFF.

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).

 

 

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