In-Flight Action Award 

David Fennen 

Air Spray USA, Inc. employee, David Fennen, is the Pilot in Command of an Air 

Tractor AT-802AF, Fire Boss, on an exclusive use contract for the Alaska Fire 

Service. 

On July 16, 2019, an in-flight incident occurred while working on the Lake 

Tsyooktuihvun fire. During the fourth scoop, the aircraft’s fill scoops failed to 

retract causing the tank to fill to max capacity and subsequently overflowing out 

of the top, which reduced forward visibility out the windscreen to zero. Dave 

immediately activated the emergency dump system and jettisoned the load. As 

later determined during post-flight maintenance inspections, the scoops could 

not retract due to a mechanical issue. Therefore, during the scoop abort, the 

scoops continued to fill and visibility was not regained as would normally occur 

once they had retracted. Dave then selected max power and successfully 

accomplished a water takeoff. Once he was off the water surface and airborne 

again, visibility greatly improved. He then aborted the mission and returned to 

Fairbanks, without incident, for maintenance. 

Dave is a well-respected pilot with years of experience in Alaska. He 

demonstrated outstanding airmanship and leadership and by doing so prevented 

damage to the aircraft and injury to personnel. 

Thank you Dave for your positive actions during an in-flight incident! 

Reference: SAFECOM 19-0351 

 

 

 

Categories:

Hazard:Mission Equipment

Incident:Precautionary Landing (Mechanical)

Maintenance:Airframe

Maintenance:Mission Equipment

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Tracking #: 19-0351

Date Submitted: 7/17/2019 12:40:00 PM

EVENT

Date: 7/16/2019 Local Time: 1300 Injuries: No Damage: Yes

Location: Fire 572, Lake Tsyooktuihvun, State: Alaska

DOI Office of Aviation Services (DOI) > Bureau of Land Management (BLM) > Alaska State Operational Control: Office > Alaska Fire Service

MISSION

Type: Fire, Retardant Drop (SEAT) Other:

Procurement: Exclusive use contract Other:

Persons Onboard: 1 Special Use: Yes Hazardous Materials: No

Departure Point: PAFB Destination: PAFB

AIRCRAFT

Manufacturer: Air Tractor Model: AT-802AF

NARRATIVE

During the fourth scoop the Fire Boss scoops failed to retract causing the tank to fill to max capacity subsequently

blowing out the top which reduced forward visibility out the windscreen to zero. The PIC immediately activated the

emergency dump system and jettisoned the load. As later determined during post-flight maintenance inspections, the

scoops could not retract due to a mechanical issue. Therefore, during the scoop abort, visibility was not regained as

would normally occur immediately after jettisoning the load once the scoops retracted. The PIC then selected max

power and successfully accomplished a water takeoff. The PIC then aborted the mission and returned to Fairbanks for

maintenance. BLM AV Safety,WS,7/23: Scoops remained down after jettison of load and continued to fill causing

visibility issues, after the water takeoff visibility improved out the windscreen. Excellent situational awareness by the

pilot.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Inspect scoops to determine cause of scoop retraction failure. BLM AV Safety,WS,7/23: The mechanical issue turned

out to be a faulty hydraulic Vickers valve which was replaced by the mechanic. Operations checks were positive and

OAS inspector returned the aircraft to contract availability on 7/18.

ATTACHMENTS