Returns Safely To Base After Striking Treetops Near Tehachapi,
CA
All appears well after an experimental DC-10 aerial firetanker
made an emergency landing Monday night in Victorville, CA after
experiencing turbulence over a forest, and impacting several
treetops.
Sean Dakin, fire information officer for state agency CAL FIRE,
said the DC-10 (shown above and below) -- the only one of its
kind in operation -- had performed two drops over the White Fire
near Tehachapi when it hit the shearing forces. Another CAL FIRE
official, Janet Upton, told the Victorville Daily Press the
aircraft began experiencing problems near Bison Peak.
"It encountered severe turbulence, which caused the aircraft to
descend and strike several trees," she said. "The flight crew was
able to apply power and fly out of the turbulence, and they safely
returned to their base at Victorville."
The plane landed safely at around 1745 PDT Monday. No injuries
were reported, and the aircraft is currently grounded as it is
examined for structural damage. According to the FAA Preliminary
Report, the aircraft sustained damage to its left wing, presumably
to the leading edge.
The modified DC-10 was converted into an aerial firebomber by
Cargo Conversions LLC. The aircraft sports a 12,000-gallon
capacity, roughly 10 times the amount of water or fire retardant a
standard firebomber -- often converted P-3 Orions -- can
manage.
Recently, the state signed a three-year exclusive contract for
the plane, guaranteeing the plane's availability for 122 days
between June and October. Since it lacks FAA certification,
however, the aircraft cannot be used to fight fires on Forest
Service lands, such as the site of the Angora Fire still raging
south of Lake Tahoe.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#:
450AX Make/Model:
DC10 Description: DC-10 (KC-10
Extender, KDC-10)
Date: 06/26/2007 Time: 0027
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury:
None Mid Air: N Missing:
N
Damage: Minor
LOCATION
City: TEHACHAPI State: CA Country:
US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT REPORTED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING, OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES
ARE UNKNOWN, TEHACHAPI, CA
INJURY DATA Total
Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat:
0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat:
0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Grnd:
Fat: 0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
WEATHER: WJF 22018KT 10SM SKC
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase:
Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: VAN NUYS, CA
(WP01)
Entry date: 06/26/2007