Fighting wildfires from the air is dangerous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When a wildfire is burning on steep hills, the quickest way to fight it can be for a single engine air tanker (acronym SEAT) to drop retardant. On September 22, 2020 the 30-acre Schill fire was located two miles southeast of Emmett, Idaho. An Air Tractor 802 airplane piloted by Ricky Burton was dispatched from the Bureau of Land Management near Ontario, Oregon. It crashed, and Mr. Burton was fatally injured.

 

An article at IdahoNews2 on September 25, 2020 described how Pilot killed in Emmett remembered for decades of experience (and his love of kittens). A news release from the Bureau of Land Management on September 23, 2020 said:

 

“We offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the pilot lost in this tragic accident. This reminds us of the inherent risks involved in wildland firefighting and the gratitude we owe to the courageous and committed men and women who serve willingly to protect lives, property, and natural resources.”

 

An Air Tractor 802F has a wingspan of 59 feet, and a 1,350 hp turboprop engine. It has a cruising speed of 220 mph, but a typical working speed of just 120 mph. It  has an empty weight of 7,200 pounds, a maximum (take-off) weight of 16,000 pounds and a hopper with a capacity of 820 gallons. Plain water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon, so that would be about 6839 pounds. An article by Bill Gabbert at Fire Aviation on September 25, 2020 titled The SEAT that crashed Sept. 22 in Idaho was first registered two months ago explained that:

 

“The Air Tractor 802A can hold up to 820 gallons of fire retardant weighing approximately 7,380 pounds. If any air tanker pilot is depending on the release of retardant to make it possible to clear terrain while exiting the drop area, a malfunction preventing that release would affect the aircraft’s ability to climb, possibly resulting in impact with terrain.”

 

Another article from News9 on September 24, 2020 titled Oklahoma firefighter dies while battling fires in Idaho further explained: 

 

“The preliminary finding from the FAA is saying that the dump gate malfunctioned and didn’t open to dump the fire retardant, so he wasn’t able to pull up over the ridge,’ family said.”

 

On August 15, 2015 I blogged about Fighting wildland fires: Hotshots, helicopters, and whatever else it takes.

 

The image of a retardant drop came from FEMA via Wikimedia Commons.