Why Are Older Planes Used To Fight Fires?
It Comes Down To Money, Aviation Expert Says
POSTED: 11:25 a.m. MDT July 22, 2002
UPDATED: 1:18 p.m. MDT July 22, 2002
DENVER -- The crash of the PB4Y tanker last week has raised questions as to why these WWII-era planes are still being used for the dangerous work of fighting fires.
The number of mechanical breakdowns and mishaps involving the aging air tankers have more than tripled this year, 7NEWS reported.
In fact, approximately one problem has been reported every day. Before Thursday's accident, air tankers carrying retardant in Colorado had experienced problems 28 times since April 1, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
About 49 mishaps involved helicopters and 27 involving other airplanes have also been reported, the television station said.
Most of the planes being used to fight these fires were originally designed for military use decades ago. But why are they still in the air and still being pushed to the limit?
"It always comes down to money," said Bill Scott of Aviation Week.
The reason why the Forest Service contracts with commercial operators that tend to use older planes is because these companies charge less. It's simply cheaper to operate an older plane than it is a newer one, Scott said.
"Ultimately, they get old. You're not driving a 1960s car, and most of these airplanes were retired from military service in the early 1960s," Scott said.
Scott said that the older military planes are among the few that can handle a 6,000-pound slurry load and take the turbulence of a raging fire -- which makes availability another issue.
Scott said he would like to see the government release newer retired aircraft so they could be modified and used to fight forest fires.
Homeowners like Doug Palagi agree.
"It makes sense. It just plain makes sense," said Palagi. "It's my tax dollars for one thing. It's my insurance rates. Insurance rates on everyone's homes are being increased because of this fire danger. If I live in a fire-prone area and there's a fire going on, I can't even get insurance on my home."
Experts like Scott said that the Forest Service may need more money to contract with operators who use newer, and hopefully, safer planes. But that money will have to come from somewhere.
"It comes down to you and me, the taxpayer -- what are we willing to pay?" Scott said.
Scott said the newer B-1 bombers could be retrofitted to fight fires. Others say the newer A-10 Warthog could also be used.
But right now, it's the older military planes doing the bulk of the work.
Air tanker pilots got back to business Sunday after the order to ground the fleet was lifted.
Air tankers based at Jefferson County Airport made more than a dozen slurry drops on Sunday to help get the Big Elk Fire under control.
Their work continued even as federal investigators inspected the still grounded PY4Y2 which is the model that crashed. Many pilots and ground crew members told 7NEWS that they find it easier to work through the grieving process now that they're back in the air.
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The number of mechanical breakdowns and mishaps involving the aging air tankers have more than tripled this year, 7NEWS reported.
In fact, approximately one problem has been reported every day. Before Thursday's accident, air tankers carrying retardant in Colorado had experienced problems 28 times since April 1, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
About 49 mishaps involved helicopters and 27 involving other airplanes have also been reported, the television station said.
Most of the planes being used to fight these fires were originally designed for military use decades ago. But why are they still in the air and still being pushed to the limit?
BIG ELK FIRE  INTERACTIVE  ARTICLE: Plane In Previous Crash Owned By Same Company VIDEO: Eyewitnesses Describe CrashVIDEO: Working Life Of Tanker PilotsVIDEO: Role Of Air TankersVIDEO: Evacuee Tells His Story SLIDESHOW: Air Tanker OverviewSLIDESHOW: Big Elk Fire - Day 1SLIDESHOW: Big Elk Fire - Day 2Big Elk Fire MapFLASH: Fire Causes And Protections DISCUSSION: Should Old Planes Still Be Used?RESOURCES |
MAP:- July 20, 2002: Big Elk Fire Expands Again
- July 20, 2002: Pilot Killed In Crash Was Newly Married
- July 19, 2002: Big Elk Fire Now 2,500 Acres And Growing
- July 19, 2002: Internal Memo Questioned Aircraft Maintainance
- July 18, 2002: Plane In Previous Crash Owned By Same Company
- July 18, 2002: 2 Killed When Air Tanker Fighting Big Elk Fire Crashes July 18, 2002: Wildfire Near Estes Park, Pinewood Springs Lays Down
- July 12, 2002: Forest Service Under Fire From Widow Of Airtanker Pilot
- June 18, 2002: Investigation Begins In Fatal Air Tanker Crash
- June 18, 2002: 3 Die In California Air Tanker Crash
- June 17, 2002: Air Tanker Crashes Fighting Sierra Wildfire
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