A-04-032
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require that restricted-category aircraft used for any part of the year in firefighting operations be maintained in accordance with appropriate maintenance and inspection programs that take into account and are based on: 1) the airplane’s original design requirements and its intended mission and operational life; 2) the amount of operational life that has been used before entering firefighting service; 3) the magnitude of maneuver loading and the level of turbulence in the firefighting environment and the effect of these factors on remaining operational life; 4) the impact of all previous flight hours (both public and civil) on the airplane’s remaining operational life; and 5) a detailed engineering evaluation and analysis to predict and prevent fatigue separations.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA must require that restricted-category aircraft used in firefighting be maintained under programs incorporating five factors: original design and intended operational life, prior life used before firefighting duty, maneuver and turbulence loads in firefighting, total flight hours' impact on remaining life, and a detailed engineering evaluation to prevent fatigue failures.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Jun 21, 2017 |
| NTSB number | LAX94FA323 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).