Friday, February 10, 2023

Update on aerial operations in Australia following T-139 crash

I wrote on February 6th about the crash of Coulson's T-139 while flying a fire in the Fitzgerald River National Park in Western Australia on February 6th. I understand that T-139 had done a split-load, dropping half their load in two passes over the fire. Shortly after dropping the second load, T-139 crashed (see this February 7th article from WAToday).  It is a miracle that both pilots survived and are now out of the hospital. By now, I suspect that conditions are safe enough at the crash site for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau begins their investigation into the crash (go here to read their first report with basic information. 

Coulson had suspended all operations on February 7th for a welfare rest to give crews to rest and reflect. According to their news release, Coulson resumed aerial operations on February 8th. 

The crash of T-139 left Western Australia with only one large airtanker. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service has three large air tankers and loaned one to Western Australia to support their bush fire operations, Conair T-166, an Avro RJ85. T-166 arrived on February 8th.  If you have difficulty seeing the Facebook post from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA that I embedded below, here is a direct link to the post which I believe should be freely available to those who don't have a Facebook account.



No comments: