Small Aircraft/Helicopter Accident Scene Hazards

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Small Aircraft/Helicopter Accident Scene Hazards

• First Responder Awareness Training for New
  Technologies

Airport Rescue Firefighters Working Group
Bob Stegeman FAA Structures Engineer
August 30, 2009
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Goal

• To develop a universal training document/medium ,
  targeted towards first responders, that advises
  how to safely approach and work around an
  accident aircraft.

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Background

• 2001 accident in Springfield, MO recognizing poor
  markings and several subsequent accidents without
  injuries from undeployed Ballistic Parachute
  System
• FAA and NTSB safety recommendations
• Development of installation/placard standards
  (ASTM F 2616-06) including input from
  firefighting groups for LSAs
• Later input gathered from firefighting groups
  regarding placarding vs. training

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Challenges to Development

• Define what we need in a document or media and
  what it should look like
• Find training avenues open for this in the first
  responder community
• Needed to understand how the current system
  filters information down to local organizations.
• Document needs different versions with varying
  levels of detail.
• Needs to reach out to a wide range of
  organizations ex. from ARFF to volunteer
  firefighters
• How will first responders incorporate this?

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Our Current Solution

• Needs
• Training that was readily/widely available
• Training that was concise
• Training that can stand alone
• Articulate software

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Steps Taken

• Module 1
• Accident Aircraft Response AwarenessSystems and
  Material Hazards
• Module 2
• Accident Aircraft Response Awareness Aircraft
  Types Mission Specific Threats
• Module 3
• Accident Aircraft Response Operations Command,
  Control and Recovery
• Module 4
• Accident Aircraft Response Technical Operations
  Ballistic Parachute System Familiarization
• Module 5
• Accident Aircraft Response AwarenessSystems and
  Material Hazards For Rescue

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Module 1 Accident Aircraft Response
AwarenessSystems and Material Hazards

• For Firefighters/EMTs and those more likely to
  work at an accident site
• Includes SCBA and cutting information
• Covers potential accident site hazards
• Covers site protocol with respect to the
  subsequent investigation

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Module 2Accident Aircraft Response Awareness
Aircraft Types Mission Specific Threats

• General familiarization on small aircraft and
  helicopter types
• General familiarization about mission and
  associated hazards
• Covers potential accident site hazards

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Module 3Accident Aircraft Response Operations
Command, Control and Recovery

• For Incident Commanders and law enforcement
• Explains accident protocol, accident
  investigation considerations and scene security

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Module 4Accident Aircraft Response Technical
Operations Ballistic Parachute System
Familiarization

• Technical information on BPS
• Explains system operation
• Provides base knowledge about how manufacturers
  disable a system
• YOU STILL MUST CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO
  DISABLING

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Module 5Accident Aircraft Response
AwarenessSystems and Material Hazards For Rescue

• For those other than Firefighters/EMTs
• Very similar to Module 1 however doesnt include
  SCBA and cutting information
• Covers potential accident site hazards
• Covers site protocol with respect to the
  subsequent investigation

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Website

• FAA web www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety
• Will develop online course format for training on
  FAAs FAASTeam website
• May develop additional module that will cover
  operational safety around helicopters

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Discussion