At the end of the season, or when maintenance on the retardant drop system is required during the season, the retardant tank is washed out. When this happens, the flapper valve and the tank doors at the bottom of the aircraft are in the open position. In addition the hotload cap is off. This allows any standing water to be vented from the system.
Here is a video of what this operation looks like:
CAL FIRE (CDF) S2T Tanker 71 working Sawtooth Complex Fire (2006)
Sawtooth Complex Fire (Sept. 2006), San Bernardino County CA. Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service
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