National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Aircraft


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Rappel Risk Assessments

Aircraft  |  EquipmentOperations 


SYSTEM:  Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Adequate Screening/ Evaluation Lack of Standardization

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board. 

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

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).

 

 

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2021-12-02