Airport Neighbors Worry About Slurry Bombers
Broomfield Residents Complain About Low-Flying Planes
POSTED: 1:48 p.m. MDT July 24, 2002
BROOMFIELD, Colo. -- City officials say they are concerned
about the safety of aging planes flying over populated areas so
they have decided to ask the U.S. Forest Service and Jefferson
County Airport to change flight paths for firefighting air tankers.
The decision Tuesday came five days after an air tanker crashed
while fighting the Big Elk Fire, killing two pilots.
Slurry bombers operating from the Forest Service's tanker base
at the airport are used to fight fires across the region.
Since firefighting began at the Big Elk Fire near Pinewood
Springs July 17, residents have complained of low-flying air
tankers over Broomfield, several council members said.
City Councilman Hank Stovall suggested city staff contact the
airport to suggest a route over the least-populated area of the
city and that the tankers meet minimum height standards after
takeoff and on approach.
The city will send letters expressing the concerns to U.S.
Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, Rep. Mark Udall, Sen. Wayne
Allard and airport officials.
Superior Mayor Susan Spence has said she is interested in
joining Broomfield in the requests, Broomfield Mayor Karen Stuart
said. The tankers also fly over Superior.
The letters request information about steps to ensure the air
tankers are safe and in good working order.
The Jefferson County Airport is located at the southern edge of Broomfield.
The tanker that crashed last week lost a wing while beginning to
dump its slurry load and crashed. A similar accident involving a
C130A occurred in California last month, when both wings broke off . The people on board the tanker were killed.
Greybull, Wyo.-based Hawkins & Powers Aviation owned both
planes.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating both crashes and is not expected to issue a report on either crash for several months.
The decision Tuesday came five days after an air tanker crashed
while fighting the Big Elk Fire, killing two pilots.
Slurry bombers operating from the Forest Service's tanker base
at the airport are used to fight fires across the region.
Since firefighting began at the Big Elk Fire near Pinewood
Springs July 17, residents have complained of low-flying air
tankers over Broomfield, several council members said.
City Councilman Hank Stovall suggested city staff contact the
airport to suggest a route over the least-populated area of the
city and that the tankers meet minimum height standards after
takeoff and on approach.
The city will send letters expressing the concerns to U.S.
Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, Rep. Mark Udall, Sen. Wayne
Allard and airport officials.
Superior Mayor Susan Spence has said she is interested in
joining Broomfield in the requests, Broomfield Mayor Karen Stuart
said. The tankers also fly over Superior.
The letters request information about steps to ensure the air
tankers are safe and in good working order.
The Jefferson County Airport is located at the southern edge of Broomfield.
The tanker that crashed last week lost a wing while beginning to
dump its slurry load and crashed. A similar accident involving a
C130A occurred in California last month, when both wings broke off . The people on board the tanker were killed.
Greybull, Wyo.-based Hawkins & Powers Aviation owned both
planes.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating both crashes and is not expected to issue a report on either crash for several months.
Previous Stories:
- July 22, 2002: Why Are Older Planes Used To Fight Fires?
- July 19, 2002: 2 Killed When Air Tanker Fighting Big Elk Fire Crashes
- July 18, 2002: Plane In Previous Crash Owned By Same Company
- July 12, 2002: Forest Service Under Fire From Widow Of Airtanker Pilot
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
