June 15, 2020

An unusual recent uptick of incidents and one accident have taken place during the startup of the 2020 fire/

field season. Historically May & June are lower mishap occurrence months. Reference Pg. 2

* Damage to an aircraft wing during mobilization. (Third week of April)

* Wing tip damage during taxi on a congested ramp. (May)

* Damage to front landing gear from a roll away aircraft while stationed on the ramp. (May)

* Scooping mishap which resulted in substantial damage, classified as an accident. (May)

* Aircraft entered a dipsite prior to personnel and vehicles being clear of the flight path and area. (May)

* Aborted scoop resulting in aircraft safely gliding into shoreline, no damage. (June)

It is not uncommon to have a few hiccups as the season starts. Personnel establish daily routines and personal 

introductions as the first few days and weeks of an assignment or contract begin. Unique to the startup of the 

2020 fire/field season, as we all know, is the unexpected atmosphere of COVID-19. Everyone has a different 

comfort level in their work and home environments which is normal human behavior. Some have experienced 

the effects of COVID-19 up close and personal-others have remained immune to the physical and mental 

consequences. Regardless of how close and personal COVID-19 has come to us, we have all been affected and 

have had to operate at a different, heightened level of awareness. 

States are managing COVID and “re-opening” differently; as aviation personnel navigate numerous geographical 

areas, some confusion is to be expected. For example, employees may have questions on everything from 

“am I essential”, to quarantine requirements and sanitation practices. 

Our aviation employees are essential, and we are counting on you to be prepared for the 2020 wildland fire 

season. This season, we will be efficient and aggressive during initial and extended attack, to keep fires 

small, communities protected, and employees safe by preventing as many large-scale fires, and camps, as 

possible. We will fight fire efficiently and aggressively like we did last year, and like we will in 2021, by being 

smart, managing risk, and recognizing and backing off when risks become too great. Like last year, and next 

year, the safety of our employees and the public is number one.

Aviation is inherently dangerous if you allow distractions to enter into your disciplined daily routine as an 

aviator and aviation employee. I challenge all of you to step up and take on the challenge of creating and 

operating in our aviation environment knowing what we are doing today rarely differs from what we did 

yesterday. Aviation managers and your co-workers expect that your "A" game is being prepared for and delivered 

every day you come to work.

As we move into what could be a challenging fire/field season we need to focus on aviation as true professionals. 

If you are distracted and are unsure if you can bring your "A" game to the field today, share that with your 

supervisor, co-worker and family. It is ok to sit "one-out" as we move into our busy season. And if you notice 

others not performing at their normal level, be the one to say something. A pro-active aviator is a professional 

aviator. 

As the data and graphs illustrate on the next page, historically our mishap rate elevates in June, July and August 

which seems to correlate with our increase of flight activity and hours. 

So, I ask, as we move forward that everyone bring and deliver your "A" game. If you feel something is off today

or you "See something - Say something." As I like to say, "Aviation is discipline " we should all continue to

challenge our self to elevate the bar of aviation safety, every day. 

Kirk Rothwell, BLM National Aviation Safety & Training Advisor
BLM Aviation Accidents 1975-2020 

Month Fixed Wing (FW) Rotor Wing (RW) FW / RW 

May 5 = AK(4) ID(1) 3 = AK(2) CO(1) *9% / 6%

June 

July 

August 

Other 

6 = AK(2) UT(2) CA, ID 

19 = NV(8) AK(6) CO(3) 

14 = NV(7) CO(2) AK(2) 

10 

7 = AK(3) 

13 = NV(4) AK,OR,WY 2ea 

10 = NV(4) OR(2) AK(2) CO 

20 

*11% / 13%

36% / 25% 

26% / 19% 

81% of FW and 

62% of RW 

accidents

occured in the

months of

May-Aug.

*Not all accidents listed by state, only majority

Total 54 53 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCIDENTS BY MONTH 

FW RW All 

5 

3 

8 

6 

7 

13 

19 

13 

32 

24 

14 

10 

M A Y J U N E J U L Y A U G U S T 

AK 

29% 

CO 

13% 

ID 

7% 

NV 

33% 

OR 

8% 

UT 

4% 

WY 

6% 

By State, May - August

AK CO ID NV OR UT WY 

Kirk Rothwell, BLM National Aviation Safety & Training Advisor