Air Tanker down over Yosemite
10-07-2014 | 05:12 PM
#1
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Air Tanker down over Yosemite
No contact from crew, all I've seen is a file pic of a P-3, but I have no other info. Please anyone pass more info as it comes available. Keeping Hope alive for the crew and their families.
Edit
It's now being reported as a S-2T.
Edit
It's now being reported as a S-2T.
Last edited by T45Heinous; 10-07-2014 at 05:28 PM. Reason: Updated info
10-07-2014 | 07:46 PM
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.CalFire Plane Goes Missing at Yosemite Fire | Firehouse
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — An air tanker fighting a wildfire near Yosemite National Park in Northern California crashed Tuesday, but there was no immediate word on the condition of the pilot, who was the only person aboard, officials said.
The plane went down at about 4:30 p.m. within a mile of the park's west entrance, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said. Rescue crews were working their way through difficult terrain to reach the plane.
"It's very rugged terrain," said Janet Upton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "We determined there was a crash, but they're still trying to work their way through pretty rugged terrain to determine the status of the pilot. Obviously we're hoping for the best, but the situation is very serious."
The airplane, manufactured in 2001, is an S-2T air tanker, which is flown by a single pilot and has no other crew members. The tanker uses twin turbine engines and is capable of carrying 1,200 gallons of fire retardant, said another CalFire spokesman, Daniel Berlant.
A California Highway Patrol spokesman, Officer Steven Lewis, said CHP Sgt. Chris Michael witnessed the crash as he was helping to close state Route 140 where it enters the park.
"All the tourists and residents were being turned away," Lewis said, when Michael reported that he had just witnessed "a bomber collide into the river canyon, the canyon wall, and watched it explode in flames and reported there was plane debris landing in the highway."
The plane went down at about 4:30 p.m. within a mile of the park's west entrance, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said. Rescue crews were working their way through difficult terrain to reach the plane.
"It's very rugged terrain," said Janet Upton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "We determined there was a crash, but they're still trying to work their way through pretty rugged terrain to determine the status of the pilot. Obviously we're hoping for the best, but the situation is very serious."
The airplane, manufactured in 2001, is an S-2T air tanker, which is flown by a single pilot and has no other crew members. The tanker uses twin turbine engines and is capable of carrying 1,200 gallons of fire retardant, said another CalFire spokesman, Daniel Berlant.
A California Highway Patrol spokesman, Officer Steven Lewis, said CHP Sgt. Chris Michael witnessed the crash as he was helping to close state Route 140 where it enters the park.
"All the tourists and residents were being turned away," Lewis said, when Michael reported that he had just witnessed "a bomber collide into the river canyon, the canyon wall, and watched it explode in flames and reported there was plane debris landing in the highway."
10-08-2014 | 04:01 PM
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From: still here...
10-09-2014 | 09:48 AM
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10-09-2014 | 03:30 PM
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10-09-2014 | 08:15 PM
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Aerial fire operates on similar flight and duty limits to Part 135. It has additional safeguards for times of high fire activity, when the number and frequency of mandatory days off are accelerated. The federal government and the california CALFIRE systems are spring loaded to respond to "safety of flight." Say those magic words, and you have everyone's attention. If you're given a drop, or a dispatch, or a reposition, and call safety of flight, no more need be said.
I timed out a couple of times this summer during some active fires. Once that point is reached, I'm done. If there's a possibility that it could be reached on the next dispatch, I can't take the flight; in most cases, the government won't allow the aircraft to be dispatched if there's a possiblity of exceeding a flight or duty limit.
The aircraft are very closely monitored and maintained. Particularly since two structural failures that occurred in 2002, additional life limits, inspections, and maintenance requirements have been applied. These are overseen by the FAA, the user agencies, and depending on the aircraft and operator, private companies that own or operate the aircraft.
The S2T in this case appears to have caught a tree with a wingtip during drop operations. I guarantee that had the Craig felt fatigued, and had said so, no one would have questioned that.
I timed out a couple of times this summer during some active fires. Once that point is reached, I'm done. If there's a possibility that it could be reached on the next dispatch, I can't take the flight; in most cases, the government won't allow the aircraft to be dispatched if there's a possiblity of exceeding a flight or duty limit.
The aircraft are very closely monitored and maintained. Particularly since two structural failures that occurred in 2002, additional life limits, inspections, and maintenance requirements have been applied. These are overseen by the FAA, the user agencies, and depending on the aircraft and operator, private companies that own or operate the aircraft.
The S2T in this case appears to have caught a tree with a wingtip during drop operations. I guarantee that had the Craig felt fatigued, and had said so, no one would have questioned that.
10-11-2014 | 04:50 PM
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A big cheers to the CALFIRE guys (and all firefighting pilots) who routinely put their lives on the line. Had a fire burn right up to the perimeter of my neighborhood in SoCal last year and watched a heroic effort by S-2s and Broncos take place right over my head. Not a single home was lost. Thanks guys for all you do. I hope this particular airman has found peace and tailwinds.
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