Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	Lack of Standardization	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	Aircraft perform near limits of capabilities due to mission, payload, and environment	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Create national rappel specifications template for Schedule B. Utilize SMEs - Helicopter managers/HOSs/rappel specialists when developing aircraft contract specifications/ modifications.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Performance Capabilities and Limitations	Operating close to performance limitations of aircraft (weight/balance, DA, height/velocity curve, CG)	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Strict compliance with flight manual and increased awareness training of aircraft performance for helicopter managers and proper mission planning. Continue using high performance Type 2 Helicopters and Part 27 Type 3 Helicopters.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Pilot visibility/vertical and horizontal reference	Possible	Critical	High	Develop National screening/evaluation process, identify minimum standards for visibility in rappel aircraft.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Pilot moving from right to left seat to fit mission in Bell medium helicopters	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure that Schedule B contract language is standardized Nationally for Type 2 Helicopters.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Equipment	Rappel anchor failure	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Spotter anchor failure	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Aircraft modifications improperly installed/false documentation	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Thorough maintenance inspections, verification of STC documentation and compliance, increased training for helicopter managers.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	ICS communications not available to all rappelers	Possible	Critical	High	National rappel template for Schedule B.	Rare	Critical	Medium
Communication	Spotter cannot independently manipulate FM radios from back seat (pilot task saturation)	Possible	Critical	High	Audio panel conveniently available for pilot and spotter to individually manipulate.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Configuration	Doors off flight; crash survivability	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Minimize doors off operation to essential missions only. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Doors off flight; non secured items	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Training on proper storage of equipment when flying with doors off. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	External basket security	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Assure security of external loads prior to mission.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
Maintenance	Lack of compliance with ADs, manufacture's inspections	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Strict compliance with flight manual, increased awareness training of maintenance requirements and ADs for helicopter managers, spot inspections of aircraft. Recommend all rappel contract helicopters require a mechanic.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
Aircraft Health	Undetected corrosion, stress crack, structural. Limited, and/or unknown amount of aircraft health testing and monitoring being performed on current aircraft (fatigue, corrosion, airframe, etc.)	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Ensure Maintenance Inspectors are conducting thorough reviews of aircraft maintenance logs.	Rare	Catastrophic	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: April 29, 2024

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Date: March 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
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The 2025 Core Component Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2024 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2025 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

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2025 Core Component Module Package

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The NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 provides mitigation practitioners at all experience levels with recommendations on the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish mitigation work in communities at risk to wildfire damage or destruction. The content in this guide was written in coordination with the NWCG Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface, PMS 052.

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NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053

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NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

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The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

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NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

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PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

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National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

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References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group