2

Table of Contents

NOTE: Formulas used: Industry standard “per 100,000 hours flown”

Accident Rate = Number of accidents divided by the number of hours flown 

multiplied by 100,000.

Fatal Accident Rate = Number of fatal accidents divided by the number of hours 

flown multiplied by 100,000.

Fatality Rate = Number of fatalities divided by the number of hours flown multiplied by 100,000.

This report is available on-line at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/av_safety/

fy_safety_reports/index.html

How to Interpret Data 2 

Executive Summary 4 

Aviation Safety Accomplishments 5 

Statistical Summary 7 

USFS Owned and/or Operated Statistics 14 

Fixed-Wing (contract) Statistics 16 

Airtanker Statistics 18 

Helicopter Statistics 21 

SAFECOM Summary 23 

Mishap Summary 33 

How to interpret data within this report

2
3

 Aircraft Categories:

 USFS Owned and Operated which includes the 23 fleet aircraft (20 fixed-wing 

and 3 helicopter) and 14 leased fixed-wing aircraft. 

 Fixed-Wing Aircraft (contract), this includes all contract fixed-wing, excluding all 

airtankers.

 Helicopters includes all types, including tanked helicopters also referred to as 

helitankers.

 Large Airtankers include all multi-engine including the Very Large Airtankers.

 SEAT’s are Single Engine Airtankers, the USFS only has one on contract through 

DOI-OAS, however the hours are obtained from DOI-OAS for all SEAT’s that 

flew on USFS missions. 

 Mishap Definitions

 Aircraft Accident: An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft 

which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and the time all such persons have disembarked, and in which any 

person suffers death or serious injury or in which the aircraft receives substantial 

damage. During a jump sequence, a Forest Service smokejumper is considered to 

have safely disembarked the aircraft after detaching from the static line from the 

parachute deployment system and when the parachute canopy has successfully 

deployed. (Refer to 14 CFR NTSB 830 for definition of reportable accidents) 

 Aircraft Incident with Potential: An "in-flight incident" that narrowly misses being an accident by NTSB definition and circumstances involve some aircraft damage, property damage, or minor injury to crew or passengers. Classification of 

Incidents with Potential is determined by the US Forest Service, Branch of Risk 

Management.

 Operational Control is defined as the exercise of authority over initiating, conducting, 

or terminating a flight (14 CFR Part 1.1). This includes direct management oversight, 

supervision and accountability for a specific task, mission or assignment. 

 Forest Service fleet aircraft or aircraft on contract to the USFS that have a mishap 

while under operational control of another agency (ie BLM, NPS, State, etc.) are 

not USFS reportable mishaps but that of the agency with operational control.

 Cooperator aircraft (fleet and contract) under operational control of the USFS that 

have a mishap are USFS reportable mishaps and are included in these statistics. 

 Military aircraft remain under the operational control of the military even while 

supporting USFS operations. 

How to interpret data within this report
4

Executive Summary

The Forest Service Aviation Risk Management program is based on the philosophy that all 

aircraft mishaps are preventable and that mishap prevention is an inherent function of 

management. 

The Forest Service did not have any accountable accidents again in FY 2013; this was the 

third year in a row without an accident. 

 

Risk Management Program Objective:

The objectives of Aviation Risk Management and 

Training Systems are in keeping with the most 

modern approaches to the safe management of 

complex systems. Success in aviation safety is a 

result of coordinated efforts with cooperators and 

vendors who provide approximately 90% of all 

Forest Service aviation services.

The Forest Service incorporates Safety Management Systems (SMS) in it’s aviation program. 

The Forest Service continues working with the 

FAA and HAI on implementing Safety Management Systems that target a reduction in 

the number of accidents experienced by aircraft vendors that service our natural resource 

missions.

Safety Management Systems achieve high standards of efficiency and effectiveness within 

the four primary components which include:

✈ Policy is management commitment, responsibility and accountability for the program 

and the appointment of key safety personnel. Forest Service manuals are being revised 

using principle centered management for guidance of aviation operations.

✈ Risk Management identifies hazards and applies risk assessment and mitigation processes. 

✈ Assurance is the process of monitoring controls that also includes safety and compliance audits, aviation accident prevention, review and analysis of historical data, accident investigation, error analysis, and corrective action plans. 

✈ Promotion includes training for pilots, crews, managers, support personnel and endusers. Other communications, awards and lessons learned help to maintain safety 

awareness.

The Branch of Aviation Risk Management monitors safety data, hazard reports and mishaps in its effort to identify hazardous trends. The SAFECOM system is a proactive method that monitors and corrects safety issues and shares lessons learned. 
5

Accomplishments achieved in aviation safety in FY 2013 include the following:

Policy:

✈ Revised the Safety Management System (SMS) Guide

✈ Participated in the FSM 5700 rewrite

✈ Provided input to several guides and handbooks

✈ Participated in the revision of the National Aviation Safety Management Plan

Risk Management:

✈ Instructed multiple risk management sessions nationally

✈ Completed action plan on the Aerial Supervision risk assessment

✈ Completed action plan on the Airtanker Base risk assessment

✈ Participated in Simultaneous Loading and Fueling risk assessment

Assurance:

✈ Coordinated investigations of multiple Incident With Potential (IWP) events

✈ Revised and strengthened the Exclusive Use (EU) and Call When Needed (CWN) contract specifications for vendor SMS

✈ Participated in contract technical evaluation board proposals

✈ Participated on aviation safety and technical assistance teams

✈ Participated in quality assurance reviews

Safety Promotion:

✈ Hired Aviation Safety Training Program Manager

✈ Published 4 monthly SAFECOM Summaries

✈ Published a combined total of 16 Safety Alerts, Technical Bulletins, Lessons Learned, Accident Prevention Bulletins and Information Bulletins

✈ Instructed NIFC safety engagement

✈ Presented A-200 Aviation Mishap Reviews at several Regional Aviation and Safety meetings, Helicopter Crewmember, Helicopter Manager and Helibase Manager Courses

Aviation Safety Accomplishments
6

Aviation Safety Accomplishments 

Safety Promotion (continued):

✈ SAFECOM Working Group continued to make enhancements to the SAFECOM system based on recommendations from the SAFECOM Survey

✈ Worked with Treasure Valley community college to collaborate on providing SMS training via remote web-based systems to expand training while reducing travel costs
7

Statistical Summary

The USFS flew 70,004 hours in FY 2013 which is slightly above the 10-year average of 

69,648 flight hours. The primary mission of Forest Service Aviation is to support natural 

resource programs through a variety of means, including, but not limited to:

 Aerial delivery of firefighters by parachute, rappel rope, or on site landing

 Air tactical command and control

 Surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering 

 Infrared detection & mapping

 Aerial delivery of fire retardant and water

 Passenger transport for firefighting and resource missions

 Administrative flights

 Research

 Forest rehabilitation

 Forest Health Protection (aerial surveys, application and photography)

 Law enforcement

 Aerial photography

Approximately 180 employees 

at the Washington Office, Regional Offices and Forest levels 

administer the Forest Service 

aviation program. The national 

staff is located in Washington 

D.C. and at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, 

Idaho. The vast majority of 

aviation personnel are located 

throughout the regions providing day-to-day operational oversight and program guidance. 

The Forest Service utilized approximately 500 aircraft in FY 2013. These include government owned and leased, but 

mostly contracted aircraft. The Forest Service owns and operates 23 aircraft (20 fixed-wing 

and 3 helicopters) and leases/operates 14 aerial supervision fixed wing aircraft. 

Numerous state agencies and county municipalities operate Forest Service owned aircraft 

under the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program. These aircraft are not included in these statistics or mishap data. 
8

USFS Aircraft Accident Rates 1999 to 2008

*SEAT – flight hours for SEAT aircraft on USFS lands were obtained from the DOI, 

Aviation Management Directorate

Statistical Summary

8.17

0 0

8

4.46

4.07

4.46

4.96

0

5.21

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013

accident rate

Accident Rate Trendline

FY 2013 Accident Statistics

Aircraft Type Hours Number of 

Accidents

Accident 

Rate

Number of 

Fatalities

Fatality 

Rate

Fixed-Wing 22,972 0 0 0 0

Helicopter 34,860 0 0 0 0

Large Airtanker

(LGAT) 2,966 0 0 0 0 

*Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT) 534 0 0 0 0

USFS Owned and/or 

Operated (USFS O/O) 8,672 0 0 0 0

Total 70,004 0 0 0 0

USFS Aircraft Accident Rates 2004-2013

The trend line for the last 10-years shows a significant decrease. 

The Forest Service did not have any reportable accidents in 2013; however, there were five 

Incidents With Potential. This was the third year in a row without a reportable accident. 

The Forest Service 10-year accident rate continues to decrease and is at an all time low of 

3.87. In the past 10 years there have been 27 accidents; of which 10 were fatal accidents 

with a total of 30 fatalities.
9

Statistical Summary

FY 2013 Flight Hour Percentages 

32.8%

49.8%

4.2% 12.4%

0.8%

Fixed-Wing Helicopter LGAT USFS O/O SEAT

10-Year Average of Flight Hour 

Percentages 2004-2013 

34.3%

47.4%

5.7% 11.3%

1.2%

Fixed-Wing Helicopter LGAT USFS O/O SEAT
10

Statistical Summary

Comparison of Average vs 2013

10 Year Average 2013 Comparison

Hours flown 69,648 70,004 +356

Number of Accidents 2.7 0 -2.7

Number of Fatalities 3 0 -3

Accident Rate 3.87 0 -3.87

Fatality Rate 4.3 0 -4.3

69,648 70,004

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

Average Actual

Average vs Actual Hours Flown for FY 2013

0

4.3

0

3

0

3.87

0

2.7

0

1

2

3

4

5

Number of Accidents Accident Rate Number of Fatalities Fatality Rate

Average vs Actual for 2013

Average Actual

The Forest Service 10-year accident rate continues to decrease and is at an all time low of 

3.87. In the past 10 years there have been 27 accidents; of which 10 were fatal accidents 

with a total of 30 fatalities.
11

Statistical Summary

10-Year Flight Hour Statistics

Fiscal 

Year

Fixed 

Wing Helicopter LGAT SEAT

USFS 

O/O Total

2013 22,972 34,860 2,966 534 8,672 70,004

2012 26,299 40,904 3,382 821 9,728 81,134

2011 22,846 34,106 4,550 578 9,126 71,206

2010 15,227 18,707 2,853 379 7,667 44,833

2009 18,576 26,439 3,684 781 8,056 57,536

2008 23,600 35,512 5,010 1,318 8,187 73,627

2007 29,631 41,571 5,641 628 8,122 85,593

2006 34,564 39,735 6,659 1,792 6,898 89,648

2005 22,521 28,362 3,682 674 5,185 60,424

2004 22,713 29,885 1,535 1,006 7,333 62,472

10-year 

Totals 238,949 330,081 39,962 8,511 78,974 696,477

Averages 23,895 33,008 3,996 851 7,897 69,648

10-Year Accident Rates

Year # of

Accidents

Total All 

Aircraft

FixedWing Helicopter LGAT SEAT USFS 

O/O

2013 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2012 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2011 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2010 2 4.46 6.56 0.00 35.05 0.00 0.00

2009 3 5.21 0.00 7.56 27.14 0.00 0.00

2008 3 4.07 4.23 5.63 0.00 0.00 0.00

2007 7 8.17 3.37 9.62 0.00 318.47 0.00

2006 4 4.46 2.89 7.55 0.00 0.00 0.00

2005 3 4.96 4.44 7.05 0.00 0.0 0.00

2004 5 8.0 4.4 6.69 0.00 99.4 13.69

10-year 

Average 2.7 3.87 2.51 4.54 5 35.24 1.26

Accident Rate = Number of accidents divided by the number of hours flown multiplied by 100,000.
12

Statistical Summary

10-Year Fatal Accident and Fatality Rates

Year Fatal 

Accidents

Fatal 

Accident Rate

Number of 

Fatalities

Fatality 

Rate

2013 0 0 0 0

2012 0 0 0 0

2011 0 0 0 0

2010 1 4.46 3 6.69

2009 2 3.47 4 6.95

2008 1 1.35 9 12.22

2007 1 1.16 1 1.16

2006 2 2.23 6 6.69

2005 1 1.65 3 4.96

2004 2 3.2 4 6.4

10-year 

Average 1 1.43 3 4.3

Fatal Accident Rate = Number of fatal accidents divided by the number of hours flown 

multiplied by 100,000.

Fatality Rate = Number of fatalities divided by the number of hours flown multiplied 

by 100,000.
13

Statistical Summary

67

85

60

45

34 32

26

17

28

19

0

41.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1961-1965 1966-1970 1971-1975 1976-1980 1981-1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2010 2011-2015 1961-2012 Average

Total Number of Accidents for all aircraft

(5-Year Increments) 

35

30

40

19

15

11

19

8

15

23

0

21.5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1961-1965 1966-1970 1971-1975 1976-1980 1981-1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2010 2011-2015 1961-2012 Average

Total Number of Fatalities for all aircraft

(5-Year Increments)

Forest Service Aircraft

Accident Statistics in 5-Year Increments

The total number of accidents in 5-year increments shows a steady decline, until the 2001-

2005 period. The total number of fatalities in 5-year increments shows a major decline from 

the 60’s to the mid 70’s. There was a spike in the early 2000’s, then dropping in 2011 to 

“zero” for this latest 5 year increment. Unfortunately, the number of fatalities in the periods from 2001-2010 increased. With the adoption of Safety Management Systems, particularly new risk management processes and quality assurance programs we have seen a significant decrease in the number of accidents and fatalities in the last few of years.
14

USFS Owned and/or Operated Aircraft

This includes the 23 Forest Service owned fleet aircraft and 14 leased Forest Service operated aerial supervision aircraft. The Forest Service owned aircraft accounted for 5,019 

flight hours and the 14 leased aerial supervision aircraft flew 3,653 hours in FY 2013. This 

was 12.4% of the total flight hours, which is above the average of 11.3%. There have not 

been any accidents since FY 2004 (December 2003) and no fatal accidents for 18 years in 

USFS O/O aircraft. Forest Service O/O have the lowest accident rate of all the categories 

of aircraft utilized and account for only 4% of the accidents in the past 10 years. 

USFS Owned and/or Operated 10-Year Statistics

Fiscal 

Year

Hours 

Flown

# of 

Accidents

Accident 

Rate

Fatal 

Accidents

Fatal 

Accident 

Rate

Fatalities Fatality 

Rate

2013 8,672 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2012 9,728 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2011 9,126 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2010 7,667 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2009 8,056 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2008 8,187 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2007 8,122 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2006 6,898 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2005 5,185 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2004 7,333 1 13.63 0 0.00 0 0.00

Total 78,974 1 0 0

Average 7,897 0.1 1.26 0 0.00 0 0.00
15

USFS Owned and/or Operated Aircraft

USFS O/O Hours Flown

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013

Hours Flown Trendline

13.63

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

1 0

1 2

1 4

1 6

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013

accident rate

Accident Rate Trendline

USFS O/O Accident Rates
16

Fixed-Wing Aircraft (contract)

Fixed-Wing contract aircraft accounted for 32.8% of the total hours flown; the 10-year average is 34.3 percent. There were 22,972 hours flown, which is below the 10-year average 

of 23,895. There have not been any accidents in three years, the 10-year accident rate is 

2.51 with 6 accidents. The 2 fatal fixed-wing accidents in the past 10 years have been nonfire missions. Fixed-Wing contract aircraft account for 22% of all the accidents in the past 

10 years. 

Fixed-Wing 10-Year Statistics

Fiscal 

Year

Hours 

Flown Accidents Accident Rate

Fatal 

Accidents

Fatal 

Accident 

Rate

Fatalities Fatality 

Rate

2013 22,972 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2012 26,299 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2011 22,846 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2010 15,227 1 6.56 1 6.56 3 19.7

2009 18,576 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2008 23,600 1 4.23 0 0.00 0 0.00

2007 29,631 1 3.37 0 0.00 0 0.00

2006 34,564 1 2.89 0 0.00 0 0.00

2005 22,521 1 4.44 0 0.00 0 0.00

2004 22,713 1 4.40 1 4.40 3 13.2

Total 238,949 6 2 6

Average 23,895 0.6 2.51 0.2 0.83 0.6 2.51
17

Fixed-Wing Aircraft (contract)

Fixed-Wing Hours Flown

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013

Hours Flown Trendline

Fixed-Wing Accident Rates

4.4

3.37 3.47

0 0

4.23

2.89

4.44

0 0

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 accident rate

Accident Rate Trendline
18

Airtankers (contract)

Large Airtankers accounted for 4.2% of the total hours flown; which is below the 10-year 

average of 5.7%. Single Engine Airtankers only accounted for 0.8% of the flight hours; 

which is below the average of 1.2%. We have seen a significant decrease in airtanker accidents since the 1960’s; however, in the past 10 years there have still been 5 accidents with 

3 fatalities. Airtankers account for 18% (Large Airtankers 7% and SEAT’s 11%) of all the 

accidents in the past 10 years.

All Airtankers 10-Year Statistics

Fiscal 

Year

Hours 

Flown Accidents Accident Rate

Fatal 

Accidents

Fatal 

Accident 

Rate

Fatalities Fatality 

Rate

2013 3,500 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2012 4,203 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2011 5,128 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2010 3,232 1 30.94 0 0.00 0 0.00

2009 4,465 1 22.39 1 22.39 3 67.18

2008 6,328 0 0.0 0 0.00 0 0.00

2007 6,269 2 31.9 0 0.00 0 0.00

2006 8,451 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2005 4,356 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2004 2,541 1 39.35 0 0.00 0 0.00

Total 48,473 5 1 0

Average 4,847 0.5 10.31 0.1 2.06 0.3 6.18
19

Airtankers (contract)

Large Airtanker 10-Year Statistics

Fiscal 

Year

Hours 

Flown Accidents Accident Rate

Fatal 

Accidents

Fatal 

Accident 

Rate

Fatalities Fatality 

Rate

2013 2,966 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2012 3,382 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2011 4,550 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2010 2,853 1 35.05 0 0.00 0 0.00

2009 3,684 1 27.14 1 27.14 3 81.43

2008 5,010 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2007 5,641 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2006 6,659 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2005 3,682 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2004 1,535 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

Total 39,962 2 1 3

Average 3,996 0.2 5 0.1 2.5 0.3 7.5

Single Engine Airtanker 10-Year Statistics

Fiscal 

Year

Hours 

Flown Accidents Accident Rate

Fatal 

Accidents

Fatal 

Accident 

Rate

Fatalities Fatality 

Rate

2013 534 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2012 821 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2011 578 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2010 379 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2009 781 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2008 1,318 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2007 628 2 318.47 0 0.00 0 0.00

2006 1,792 0 0.0 0 0.00 0 0.00

2005 674 0 0.0 0 0.00 0 0.00

2004 1,006 1 99.4 0 0.00 0 0.00

Total 8,511 3 0 0

Average 851 0.3 35.24 0 0.00 0 0.00
20

Airtankers (contract)

Airtanker Hours Flown

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013

LGAT SEAT ALL AT's Trendline LGAT Trendline SEAT

39.35 31.9

0

30.94

0 0

0 0 0 0 0

27.14 35.05

0 0 0

99.4

0 0

318.47

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0

22.39

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 accident rate

All AT's LGAT SEAT Trendline All AT's

Airtanker Accident Rates
21

Helicopters (contract)

Helicopters accounted for 49.8% of the flight hours, which is above the 10-year average of 

47.4%. There were no helicopter accidents again this year making it 4 years in a row 

without an accident . Even without having any accidents for the past 4 years, helicopters 

still account for 56% of all the accidents and 70% of the fatalities over the past 10 years. 

The 10-year accident rate for Helicopters is 4.54, with 15 accidents and 21 fatalities. 

Helicopter 10-Year Statistics

Fiscal 

Year

Hours 

Flown Accidents Accident Rate

Fatal 

Accidents

Fatal 

Accident 

Rate

Fatalities Fatality 

Rate

2013 34,860 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2012 40,904 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2011 34,106 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2010 18,707 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

2009 26,439 2 7.56 1 3.78 1 3.78

2008 35,512 2 5.63 1 2.81 9 25.34

2007 41,571 4 9.62 1 2.40 1 2.40

2006 39,735 3 7.55 2 5.03 6 15.01

2005 28,362 2 7.05 1 3.52 3 10.57

2004 29,885 2 6.69 1 3.34 1 3.34

Total 330,081 15 7 21

Average 33,008 1.5 4.54 0.7 2.12 2.1 6.36
22

Helicopters (contract)

6.69

9.62

5.63

0 0 0

7.55

7.05

0

7.56

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013 accident rate

Accident Rate Trendline

Helicopter Hours Flown 

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013

Hours Flown Trendline

Helicopter Accident Rates
23

SAFECOM Summary

The SAFECOM system satisfies Federal Aviation Regulations requirements for incident 

reporting, but more importantly, it provides management and front line supervisors with 

near real time accident prevention information. Armed with data on emerging safety and 

effectiveness challenges, operators and management can take appropriate actions before a 

mishap occurs. 

The following charts trend the Forest Service SAFECOM data submitted to the Interagency SAFECOM database online at https://www.safecom.gov/. In FY 2013 there were 465 

Forest Service SAFECOMs submitted, which is below the 10-year average of 545.

There were a total of 925 SAFECOMs (465 Forest Service, 368 DOI, 81 State and 11 Other/Unknown/Vendor) submitted to the Interagency SAFECOM database in FY 2013. 

The most reported USFS SAFECOMs in FY 2013 were communications (60), engine (58), 

pilot Action (41) precautionary landing (40), policy deviation (36), mission equipment (28), 

electrical (26), and dropped load (21). 

Yearly Forest Service SAFECOM Totals

YEAR Number of SAFECOM’s

2013 465

2012 642

2011 522

2010 398

2009 441

2008 594

2007 620

2006 753

2005 516

2004 494

Total 5,445

10 YR Average 545
24

SAFECOM Summary

2013 SAFECOMs by Aircraft 

 Aircraft Type Number

 Fixed Wing 92

 Helicopter 255

 Airtanker 56

 N/A 16

 SEAT 14

 USFS Owned/Operated 32

 Total 465

SAFECOMs by Aircraft Type for 10 Years 

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Fixed-Wing Helicopter Airtanker USFS Owned SEAT

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
25

SAFECOM Summary

SAFECOMs by Category

The numbers of SAFECOMs by category will be more that the total number of SAFECOMs 

reported as each SAFECOM may have more than one category assigned to it. For example 

several Incident and Hazard SAFECOMs also have Maintenance SAFECOMs associated 

with them.

2013 Percent of SAFECOMs by Category

7.7%

22.0%

4.8%

29.0%

34.3%

2.3%

Accident Airspace

Hazard Mishap Prevention

Incident Maintenance

Management

7.6%

1.8%

18.1%

24.4%

47.0%

0.8% 0.3%

10-Year Average Percent of SAFECOMs by Category
26

SAFECOM Summary

Airspace SAFECOMs by sub-category

2013 Percent of Airspace SAFECOMs

0.0% 5.7%

5.7%

37.1%

14.3%

5.7%

31.4%

Conflict Congestion Intrusion

Near Mid-Air Other Procedures

Route Deviation 

10-Year Average Percent of Airspace SAFECOMs

9.4%

5.1%

3.9%

44.1%

10.7%

1.4%

25.3%

There were a total of 31 Airspace SAFECOMs reported this year, which well below the 10-

year average of 52. Intrusions (13 reports) accounted for 37% of the reports in this category, 

which is below the average of 44%. Conflicts (11 reports) accounted for 31% of the Airspace 

reports, which is above the average of 25%. There were two near mid-air events, of which one 

was investigated as an IWP. 
27

SAFECOM Summary

Hazard SAFECOMs by sub-category

There were a total of 189 Hazard SAFECOMs reported. Below are charts indicating 

the top 5 Hazard SAFECOMs reported and the number of Hazard SAFECOMs for the 

past 10 years. The top 5 sub-categories are the same as last year. Communication issues are historically and continue to be the most reported hazard, accounting for about 

32% of the Hazard SAFECOMs reported in 2013. The number of pilot action 

SAFECOMs were almost double the 10-year average of 21 and policy deviation 

SAFECOMs were also significantly higher, the 10-year average is 26. 

60

41

36

23

13

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Communications Pilot Action Policy Deviation Mission Equipment Preflight Action

2013 Top 5 Hazards reported

Total number of Hazards reported by year

189 203

126 115 120

139

193

245

144 137

0

50

100

150

200

250

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
28

SAFECOM Summary

Incident SAFECOMs by sub-category

There were a total of 143 Incident SAFECOMs reported. Below are the top 5 Incident 

SAFECOMs reported and the total number of Incident SAFECOMs reported for the last 

10-years. Precautionary Landings were again the most reported in this category with most 

attributed to maintenance problems. Mission Equipment was the next most reported in this 

category followed by Dropped Loads, Dragged Loads and Aircraft Damage. 

7

11

21

28

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Aircraft Damage Dragged Load Dropped Load Mission Equipment Precautionary

Landing

143

165

124

104

74

127

156

125

95 95

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

2013 Top 5 Incidents reported

Total number of Incidents reported by year
29

SAFECOM Summary

Maintenance SAFECOMs by sub-category

There were a total of 223 maintenance SAFECOMs reported. Below are the top 7 

Maintenance SAFECOMs reported and the total number of maintenance SAFECOMs 

reported for the last 10-years. Maintenance SAFECOMS accounted for 34.3% of all the 

USFS SAFECOM reports. Engine maintenance discrepancies continue to be the most 

reported; there were a total of 58, of which 3 of them were a engine failure or required 

shutdown. 

332

297

209

239

334 360

453

264

220

479

0

5 0

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

2013 Top 7 Maintenance deficiencies reported

Total number of Maintenance deficiencies reported by year

58

26

19 18

14 13 13

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Engine Electrical Avionics Mission

Equipment

Chip Light Instrument Landing Gear
30

SAFECOM Summary

Forest Service Management

SAFECOM’s by sub-category 

Management was also added as a new category in 2004. Below are the SAFECOM reports classified as Management, sub-categorized by internal and external. 

Forest Service Mishap Prevention

This was a new category added in 2004 to attempt to capture the good things that individuals are doing for mishap prevention. With this being the 10th year, we have a record

high and hope to see more and more of these in the future Most Airwards come from the 

SAFECOM system under this category. 

50

41

29

12

7

13

7

8 4

2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

1

16

2

9

3

6

2

11

3

11

5

2

1 1

2 1 0 0

2

1 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

External Internal
31

SAFECOM Summary

FY 2013 SAFECOMs by Region

Percent of SAFECOMs by Region

R-3

10%

W O

0%

R-4

19%

R-5

36%

R-1

8%

R-10

3% R-2

5%

R-9

1%

NEA

0%

R-6

12%

R-8

6%

FY 2013 SAFECOMs by Aircraft Type and Region

Region FixedWingHelicopter Airtanker SEAT USFS 

Owned

N/A Total

Region 1 7 19 3 5 2 3 39

Region 2 7 11 4 0 2 1 25

Region 3 6 21 12 2 1 3 45

Region 4 19 52 4 2 4 3 84

Region 5 26 96 30 4 8 1 165

Region 6 14 30 3 1 7 3 58

Region 8 1 21 0 0 4 1 27

Region 9 1 2 0 0 2 0 5

Region 10 9 4 0 0 3 0 16

NEA 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

WO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 90 256 56 14 33 16 465
32

SAFECOM Summary

The numbers of SAFECOM’s by category are more than the total number of SAFECOMs 

reported as each SAFECOM can have more than one category assigned to it.

SAFECOMs by Region 

FY 2013 SAFECOMs by Category and Region

Region Accident Airspace Hazard Incident Maint. Mgt. Mishap

Prevention Total

Region 1 0 3 14 18 13 8 18 74

Region 2 0 3 5 2 16 0 0 26

Region 3 0 3 16 15 20 0 1 55

Region 4 0 6 37 15 33 8 14 113

Region 5 0 11 63 36 91 0 13 214

Region 6 0 4 24 33 23 0 1 85

Region 8 0 1 23 15 17 0 2 58

Region 9 0 0 1 1 4 0 1 7

Region 10 0 0 7 8 6 0 0 21

NEA 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

WO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 0 31 190 143 223 17 50 654
33

This was the third year there were no USFS accountable accidents, this is a major accomplishment, the first time as far as our records go back to have three accident free years.

The Forest Service investigated 5 incidents in 2013 as IWP’s. The table below shows the 

basic information. For additional information, click on the link to the SAFECOM or review the A-200 Mishap Review for 2013 online at https://www.iat.gov/Training/pages/

online.asp for more information. 

Mishap Summary

Date Region/

Forest

Aircraft Type Incident Description

10/16/12 R-2 San Juan NF Bell 206 L-4 Bucket line got hung up on the stinger 

SAFECOM 13-15

8/7/13 R-6 Malhuer NF Lead Plane and Air Attack Near Mid-Air at non towered airport 

SAFECOM 13-702

8/16/13 R-1 Gallatin NF AT-802 Engine failure resulting in a forced landing 

SAFECOM 13-732

8/16/13 R-1 Lolo NF AT-802A Loss of directional control during landing 

SAFECOM 13-765

8/19/13 R1-RO C-90 Engine shutdown, over torque

SAFECOM 13-775