Feds Announce Delay In Bringing Amphibious Firefighting Plane To California

Add Feedback

Share |

Washington - The United States Forest Service has put a one-week hold on a pending federal contract to station a Martin Mars water bomber aircraft on Southern California's Lake Elsinore during this year's wildland fire season.

The four engine plane and accompanying Sikorsky S-76 wildland fire tracking helicopter, operated by Coulson Flying Tankers of Canada, were originally due to set down in Southwest Riverside County on June 12th.

But despite a positive NASA structural safety team inspection of the vintage aircraft at Coulson's headquarters on Vancouver Island, British Columbia last May the Forest Service says there are still some safety issues to be resolved.

On Wednesday the Forest Service announced a temporary hold has been placed on the 'exclusive use' contract between Coulson and the U. S. government's firefighting agency.

USFS spokesman Jason Kirchner tells FDNNTV, "At the end of the seven day stand down period we expect to have a decision on the use of this aircraft in the United States."

About the delay Kirchner says, "We want to take a deep breath and evaluate all of the available safety data to see how this aircraft fits within the 'national tool box' of firefighting equipment."

Meantime, aircraft owner Wayne Coulson tells FDNNTV he understands the Forest Service's safety concerns about aerial firefighting aircraft under that agency's Continued Airworthiness Program (CAP) but that stems from the folding wings of another type of firefighting aircraft, the C-130, used during previous firefighting missions.

According to Coulson, "The U.S. Forest Service engaged NASA to help them monitor contractor's progress as each has to introduce a company CAP program for their specific aircraft. The Mars was accepted by the USFS."

Coulson says he believes there's pressure from other aircraft operators with the award of the contract to his company and, "Perhaps a political shield is being constructed as I am sure the USFS is under extreme scrutiny."

Coulson points out the Mars aircraft has flown, and extinguished, 4000 wildfires in its 49 year history with its capability of scooping up and then targeting its 7,200 gallon water payload on a major urban wildland fire.

In fact in October of 2007 the Martin Mars, under an agreement with California's fire fighting agency, Cal Fire, flew several successful regional water dropping missions while based at Lake Elsinore.

While disappointed about the paperwork delay Coulson says, "I am confident the Mars will go on contract July 8th for the USFS."

Anticipation of the colorful Martin Mars' arrival on Lake Elsinore is increasing, according to city spokesman Mark Dennis.

Dennis, who posts daily Martin Mars updates on his city's website, Lake-Elsinore.org, says he's getting daily phone calls and emails inquiring as to when the big plane and the "Firewatch 76" chopper will arrive.

He tells FDNNTV, "The city has welcomed the Martin Mars in the past and the community has absolutely embraced the historical significance of this resource in addition to its value as a fire fighting asset."

Says Dennis, "We are willing, ready and available to assist the USFS with any future deployment of the Martin Mars to Lake Elsinore."