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Summary

Questions or comments, contact Kirk Rothwell Aviation Safety & Training Advisor 208-387-5879 or mrothwell@blm.gov

BLM Aviation Safety & 

Training FY 2018

Two Accidents FY18

* Nov 15, 2017 WH&B FW Aerial Survey, Rock Springs, WY. Cessna 207A. Total loss of engine power 

within 2.0 miles of airport. 2 serious injuries, 2 minor. NTSB# CEN18LA032. 

* Aug 1, 2018 FW Resource Aerial Observation, Fairbanks, AK. BLM Fleet Top Cub. Five inch+ hole in 

the fabric of the horizontal stabilizer and damage to the leading edge after utilizing a remote airstrip. No injuries. NTSB# GAA18CA521.

Incident with Potential (IWP)

*July 16, 2018 Carson City, NV AS350B3 Helicopter in flight impact with unknown object. Post flight revealed paint scratches on tail boom and tail rotor tab indicator damage. No injuries. 

*July 22, 2018 Owyhee, NV near mid-air collision between helicopter and fireboss during delivery of fire 

suppressants. Fireboss switched between Heli A/A & FW A/A frequency when in drop sequence during 

fuel cycle, resulting in a missed call out during heavy workload on ATGS(t).

Safety Management 

Systems (SMS)

The BLM continues its dedication to SMS. Aircraft 

reviewed L48. 

28% of SEATs 

47% of Helicopters 

10% of Air Tactical 

50% of Smokejumper 

FY19 goal to review 25-30% 

of all Ex-Use contracts in 

L48 & AK. 

SAFECOM Summary 

FY18 (Submissions)

 Helicopter (40) 1 submission per 222 flt. Hrs.

 SEAT (21) 1 submission 

per 199 flt. Hrs.

 Fixed Wing (55) 1 submission per 269 flt. Hrs.

 UAS (24) 1 submission 

per 26 flt. Hrs.

Average for all types of aircraft: 1 submission per 205 

flight hours. FY17 = 1/224 

flt hrs.

Non-Fire Training (IAT)

 IAT course completions 

FY18= 4711, FY17= 4192 

 Course most often completed: A-100 Basic Aviation Safety, A-110 Transport of Hazardous Materials, A-200 Annual Mishap 

Review, A-116 General 

Awareness Security, M-3 

Aviation Management for 

Supervisors

Aviation Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) 2017-2019 

Task Books completed: TFLD & ASGS. Participated: SMS/QA Review, Aircraft inspections with 

OAS, UAS Observer, ASAT. Shadowing/Exposure: NAO, NIFC Nat’l Fire Brief/NMAC, Aerial 

Firefighter Conference. College Courses: AV 120 Intro SMS, AV121 Risk Mgmt, AV123 Policy 

Promotion Legal.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Accidents 1 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 2

Accident Rate 5.7 0 0 6.6 7.8 6.6 0 0 4.25 7.18

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0 BLM Accident & Accident Rate

2009-2018

Accidents

Accident Rate

Trendline

ZERO

ZERO

5.7

6.6

BLM 10 Yr. Avg.

4.0 accidents/100k 

flt. hrs.

6.6

7.8

ZERO

ZERO

4.25

7.18

# of Accidents/100,00 Flt Hrs
2

Acronyms:

ALDI = Aviation Leadership Development Initiative

AK = Alaska

ASAT = Aviation Safety Assistance Team

ASGS (t) = Air Support Group Supervisor (trainee)

BLM = Bureau of Land Management

Ex-Use = Exclusive Use 

Flt = Flight

FW = Fixed Wing

FY = Fiscal Year

Hrs = Hours

IAT = Interagency Aviation Training

IWP = Incident with Potential

L48 = Lower 48 contiguous states

NTSB = National Transportation Safety Board

NV = Nevada

OAS = Office of Aviation Services

Safecom = Safety Communique

SEAT = Single Engine Air Tanker

SMS = Safety Management System

UAS = Unmanned Aerial System (drone)

USFS = United States Forest Service

WH&B = Wild Horse and Burro