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PMS 448

Leadline – 12’, 3000 lb. Capacity

NFES #
000528
Category
Aviation
Updated
Storage and Shelf Life Checks
None

Initial Inspection/Disposal Criteria

  1. Inspect eye and swage for red paint and slippage:
    1. Inspect swage and wire rope eyes for slippage. If slippage has occurred, see Figures 1 and 2, dispose of the leadline.
    2. Visually inspect each swage and eye for red paint, if the paint shows that slippage has not occurred, but the paint is worn in such a way that this determination was difficult, the swage shall be repainted. If paint is not present, send to certified rigging specialist for evaluation.
Figure 1. Painted swage painted-swage-slippage-000380.jpg
Figure 1. Painted Swage Figure 2. Paint showing slippage

 

  1. Inspect for wire rope damage.  If any damage is found then dispose of the wire rope.
    1. Visually inspect length of wire rope for structural damage
  • Kinks in wire rope, see Figure 3.
  • Ballooning of wire rope, see Figure 4.
  • Cut or damaged plastic coating of cable (NFES #000528 only), see Figure 5.
  • Severe Corrosion
  • Abrasion, wear over 1/3 the outer wire diameter, see Figure 6.
  • Reduction in diameter of wire rope.

 

image of a kinked cable image of a cable ballooning
Figure 3. Kink Figure 4. Ballooning
image of a damaged plastic coated wire rope image showing abrasion on a cable
Figure 5. Damaged plastic coated wire rope. Figure 6. Abrasion

 

  1. 6000 pound leadline (NFES #000380)--inspect length of wire rope for damage.
  • Wear heavy protective gloves. Never use an ungloved hand to check the length of the cable.
  • Run a dry rag over the entire length of the wire rope.
  • Flex wire rope to expose breaks. Snags indicate broken wires in the wire rope. If individual broken wires are found, they may be trimmed back. If 4 or more broken wires are found grouped together, then dispose of wire rope.
  1. 3000 pound leadline (NFES #000528)--inspect plastic coated wire rope for damage. Abrasion to plastic coating down to the wire rope may cause corrosion.
  • Run gloved hand over length of plastic coated wire rope to check for any abnormalities such as lumps, depressions, and exposed wire. If plastic coated wire rope has severe damage or corrosion, dispose of properly.  See Figure 5.

 

  1. Measure wire rope diameter and length-
    1. Check wire rope length.
  • Length is measured from center of each thimble. If wire rope length exceeds tolerance, dispose of properly. Note: A hook replacement process was performed where old style spring gate hooks were replaced with self-closing gate hooks, see References. In this retrofit process the leadline length was shortened. The minimum length of the leadline was set at 10 ft. 2 inches. Further as part of the retrofit, the ID tag was to include “Retrofit Leadline.” Therefore short 3,000 lb. rated leadlines are only acceptable if they include the Retrofit Leadline designation on their ID tags, others are to be removed from service.

 

Table 1. Wire Rope Length
Length Tolerance per FSS 5100-503/505
12 feet +/-3 inches
25 feet +/-3 inches
50 feet +/-3 inches

 

Table 2. Wire Rope Diameter

Size Dimension
3000 lbs. 5/16 inch to 5/8 inch
6000 lbs. 1/2 inch to 9/16 inch

 

  1. Check for identification.
    1. Visually inspect leadline for permanently attached tag. Proof load tag shall be permanently attached with a swaged stainless steel wire rope.
    2. Temporary attachments are not allowed, such as wire ties.
    3. Tag shall contain at a minimum the following information: Manufacture Name, Test Company or Trademark; Working Load Limit; and Date of Proof Test (i.e., 06/06 for June, 2006). Note: Older leadlines will have Safe Working Load vice Working Load Limit, both terms are currently acceptable.
    4. If permanently attached proof load tag is not present, missing required information, not made of metal or secured with a non-permanent attachment device (e.g. Ty-Rap zip ties), remove the leadline from service.
  2. Inspect thimble for cracks, wear, and deformation.
    1. Physically examine each thimble for movement by forceful motion with hand.
    2. Thimble may move but should not be loose within the eyelet.
    3. Thimble shall have a smooth arc (see Figure 7.) If thimbles have any cracks, wear, deformation or are loose (see Figure 8.), dispose of leadline.
image of a thimble pear link image of a deformed thimble hook
Figure 7. Thimble, Pear Link and Proof Load Tag Figure 8. Deformed Thimble and Hook
  1. Inspect hook for damage, wear, and deformation.
    1. Check hook for damage such as cracks, nicks, wear, gouges, and deformation, see Figures 9 and 10.
    2. Ensure that hook is not bent or distorted and complies with hook dimensions, see Table 3 and Figure 9.
    3. Ensure hook has a safety latch or has been retrofit with self-locking safety gate that operates correctly.
  • Ensure safety gate opens and closes completely.
  • Examine gate for damage or distortion.
  • Examine gate lock for rounded edge, see Figure 10.
  • Ensure lock latch pin is secure and flush with latch, see Figure 10.
  1. Check hook dimensions, see Table 3 and Figure 9.
  2. If hook is damaged, missing hardware, is distorted, or does not meet dimension requirements, remove leadline from service.
Table 3. Hook Dimensions
Leadline Capacity Style H (max) J (min)
3000 lbs. Self-locking hook 1.0 inch 1.33 inches
6000 lbs. Self-locking hook 1.33 inches 1.7 inches
image of a self locking hook
Figure 9. Dimensions for Hooks
image of a gate lock latch
Figure 10. Examine Gate Lock Latch for rounding.

 

  1. Inspect Ring or Link
    1. Check for damage such as cracks, nicks, wear, and gouges.
    2. Check dimensions for deformations, see Table 4 and Figure 11.
    3. If ring or link is damaged, remove from service.

 

Table 4. Leadline Ring and Pear Link Dimensions
Leadline A B C
3000 lb Leadline 5/8 inch max 1.5 - 3 inch 3 - 4 inch
6000 lb Leadline 0.63 inch max 1.5 - 3 inch 3 - 4.5 inch

 

image showing the dimensions of a pear link and an oval link
Figure 11. Dimension for Pear Link and Oblong Link.

 

  1. Return to stock if leadline is in a sealed carton, or is an open container, but is clean, in unused condition, and passes inspection.
  2. Refurbish if leadline only requires cleaning or has deficiencies identified during inspection that are economically feasible to complete.
  3. Dispose of leadline if it fails inspection and repairs are not practical or economically feasible.

 

 

Refurbishing Procedures

A. Cleaning

  • The cable and hook assembly may be cleaned with hot water only, no soap.

B. Repair

  1. Apply slippage paint to the swage and thimble as shown in Figure 12.
  • The paint shall be a red spray epoxy or acrylic.
  • Mask or cover the area to achieve a painted area similar to Figure 12.
  •  Spray around the swage and do not attempt to spray paint into the ends of swage.
  1. If the Proof Load Tag is missing, the leadline must be sent to a rigging company to be tested per Testing for Performance, as long as the item passed all other inspections.
  2. Upon successful test, the rigging company shall apply a Proof Load Tag that meets/includes the following:
  • Working Load Limit in lbs. • date of proof test (month and year)
  • Name or trademark of the rigging company
  • Text size shall be 0.12 inches in height
  • Tag shall either be stainless steel or brass
  • Tag shall be secured to the leadline with a metal device, e.g., ‘hog ring’, wire cable

 

image of a swage junction showing the paint not disrupted
Figure 12. Swage Paint.

 

C. Testing for Performance

  1. Proof tests must be performed by a certified rigging company when the tag is missing and the leadline is otherwise acceptable and it’s economically feasible to retest the leadline.
  2. The proof test shall apply a load to the item at twice the rated safe working load.
  3. Any certified rigging company can test proof test the leadline assembly.

D. Repackaging

NFES #000528 package 5 each in NFES #008018 carton (12” x 12” x 6”).
NFES #000380 suggested package of 1 each in NFES #008018 carton (12” x 12” x 6”).

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee