FY2016
27th
Annual
AviaonSafetySummary
andAnnualReport
Published by:
Office of Aviation Services
(OAS)
HTTPS://WWW.DOI.GOV/AVIATION
PARTNERING FOR BETTER, FASTER, CHEAPER, SAFER AVIATION MISSIONS
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page2
Fiscal Year 2016 DOI Annual Aviation Safety Summary/Report
OAS ‐ Point of Contacts
Mark Bathrick -Director
Office of Aviation Services (OAS)
(208) 433-5000
Keith Raley-Chief, Aviation Safety, Training,
Program Evaluations & Quality Management
(208) 433-5071
John Mills -
Air Safety Investigator
(208) 433-5072
John Waddell - Air Safety Investigator
(208) 433-5073
Blaine Moriarty - Aviation Program
Evaluation Specialist
(208) 433-5045
Cathy Barta - Aviation Program Evaluation
Specialist
(208) 995-6116
Monique Way– Aviation Safety Data Analyst
(208) 433-5003
Office of Aviaon Services * Bureaus * Industry
Policy
Risk Management
Promotion
Assurance
Inside this issue: Page
Point of Contacts 2
Aviation Overview 3-5, 8-14
Risk Management 17
Policy and Assurance 6-7, 18
Awards and Achievement 19-22
Executive Summary
23



The Department of the Interior’s Aviation
Safety and Aircraft Accident Prevention pro-
gram is founded on the four pillars of an in-
tegrated
Safety Management System (SMS):
The Department of the Interior (DOI) requires
aviation programs to be adequately re-
sourced and managed. Those requirements
provide the basis that enable us to prevent all
aircraft accidents.
Successful aviation programs embrace a just
culture that balances safety and accountabil-
ity.
Successful implementation of policy com-
bined with proactive management of sound
operating principles remain the cornerstone
of a successful aviation program. Manage-
ment must also assure those polices and
practices are measured to ensure they remain
effective.
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page3
Aircraft Accident Rate
The U.S. Department of the Interior recorded four incidents with potential (IWP’s) and ended the year with two accidents. The annual aircraft ac-
cident rate is 3.41 per 100K flight hours, a decrease of more than half from last year. The DOI mishap rate is 10.23 which is a decrease from the
previous year by 1.78. Zero aircraft accidents is an attainable goal, we must meet and exceed expectations set for ourselves through training,
safety guidelines and safety tools. (https://www.doi.gov/aviation/library/guides)
The Department’s annual aircraft accident rate
2
in FY16 is 3.41 accidents per 100,000 flight hours. As of October 1, 2016, flight data captured
58,673.02 total flight hours, only 403.58 hours more than the previous year.
Since 1975, DOI’s aviation safety program has resulted in estimated savings of $694M to the Department and its supporting vendors in reduced
losses. Flight missions performed for DOI were supported in part by bureau requested and OAS supported aviation contracts that required: 2,396
vendor pilot evaluations, 864 vendor aircraft inspections, 354 Interior fleet pilot evaluations, and 78 Interior fleet aircraft inspections. Aviation
Training supported 637 instructor led course offerings accounting for 5,217 student hours of training and the Interagency Aviation Training web-
site recorded 26,043 course completions.
3
1
Historical aircraft accident rate is defined as total historical aircraft accidents per 100,000 flight hours flown.
2
Annual aircraft accident rate is defined as total aircraft accidents in one year per 100,000 flight hours flown.
3
Includes DOI Fleet, Commercial Vendor, and Cooperator aircraft from other agencies. Pilots receive evaluations for each specific special use mission
area qualification.
DOI Aircra Accident Rate History
1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2012 2014 2016
FY75—16 $694M in Total Losses Avoided
DOI Accident
Rate 3.41
DOD Accident Rate
FY75—16 $455M in Unbudgeted Costs
OAS Established
Improvement
Roomfor
Improvement
}
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page4
**General Aviaon 2016 data hasn’t been updated as of Oct 2016
DOI FY16 Mishap Overview
FlightMishap
Rate8.52
Mishap Rate
AviaonMishap
Rate10.23
1
1
2
2
DOIaccidentrate
hasdecreasedby
3.45fromFY15.
Flighthourshave
increasedbyonly
1%overlastyear.
Accidentsaredefined
by49CFR830.2and
determinedbythe
NTSB.AnIncident
WithPotenal(IWP)
isanincidentthat
narrowlymissesbeing
anaccidentandis
determinedbyOAS.
Mishaps=Accidents+
IWPs
(Includes Unmanned Aircra Systems )
Accident Rate
Mishap Rate
Total Number of Mishaps
Total Number of Mishaps
* Aviation Mishap Rate includes UAS’s, the Flight Mishap Rate doesn’t include Unmanned Aircraft Systems .
*
OAShadoneaccidentinFY16
1
1
1
1
2
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page5
FY16 Aviation Overview
DOI Flight Usage Cost
Cost associated with flight hours only
Theseratesareassociatedtopayitemcodesassociatedtoflighthours
only,doesn’tincludemonthlyrates,availability,standbyetc..
Cost Input Cost Cost Input Cost
Bureau Investigation $ 4,000
OAS Investigation
(reimbursable)
$ 5,000
DOI Losses (i.e. a/c re-
pair, recovery, loss of
availability, loss of life)
$ 7,400
Vendor Losses (i.e. A/
C repair, recovery,
loss of availability,
etc.)
$ 200,000
Total Costs
(6 Mishaps)
$ 216,400
Fatality (0) *VSL
$0
Minor Injuries (0)
$ 0
Incidental Cost associated with Mishaps
Allcostassociatedwithmishapshavenotbeenfinalizedduetoongo-
inginvesgaonsandrepairsassociatedtothemishaps,thesecosts
mayrise.
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Annual Flight
Hours
Cost per Flight Hour
Fleet $6,255,182 15,408 $406
Contract $54,627,323 43,265 $1,263
Total Usage $ 60,882,505 58,673 $ 1,038
Location Date Severity Operator Aircraft Description
Rockport, WA 9-12-16 Accident
Contractor
NPS
Pacific
West
Bell 206B3
Helicopter
Substantial damage to the
aircraft after landing.
Ely, NV 6-30-16 Accident
Fleet
OAS
Cessna 206
“Stationair”
Abnormal runway contact:
Substantial damage to aft
bulkhead during unstable
approach and landing.
Silver Salmon,
AK
3-14-16 IWP
Fleet
NPS
Alaska
Cessna
TU-206G
Fleet aircraft landed on off-
airport and wing hit sand.
Valley Wells,
CA
1-16-16 IWP
Fleet
USGS
Pacific
Falcon
Fixed Wing
UAS crashed, significant
damage.
Lafayette, LA 12-9-15 IWP
Contractor
BSEE
Gulf of
Mexico
Augusta
Westland
A119
Near mid-air collision.
Lake Clark NP,
AK
10-12-15 IWP
Fleet
NPS
Alaska
Piper
Super Cub
PA-18
Aircraft landed on gravel bar
and right wing contacted the
ground causing damage to
rudder and elevator.
IWP-Incidentwithpotenal
DOI FY16 Mishap Overview
*ValueofStascalLife(VSL)$9.1Million-U.S.DepartmentofTransportaon
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page6
Department of Interior Fleet Aircraft & Pilots by State
57
3
3
WashingtonD.C.
Represents one aircraft,
location doesn’t indicate
geographic position within
the state.
Represents one pilot,
location doesn’t indicate
geographic position within
the state.
10
8
MD
Note:Fleetaircraandpilotsoccasionallymovetheirhomebaselocaon,forthelatestinformaononwheretheyarelocated
youcancalltheFleetMaintenanceManagerinOAS-TechnicalServicesat(208)433-5082forlower48,or(907)271-4324in
Alaska.AircraLocaonscanbefoundathps://sites.google.com/a/ibc.doi.gov/aviaon-resources/doi-fleet
2
L-48:
38 Fleet Aircraft
55 Fleet Pilots
2
2 aircra are shared between Idaho
and Alaska, in this chart they are
accounted for in the AK totals.
5
2
Represents one OAS
Inspector pilot, location
doesn’t indicate geo-
graphic position within
the state.
5
4
43
DOIFleetAircra:95
Note:Apilottoaircraraoofat
least1.0orgreaterisdesirable.
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page7
DOI’s Fleet Aircraft Inventory
# of A/C Type of Aircra
2 -AmericanChampionAircra8GCBCScout
1-AmericanEurocopterAS350B2
7-AviatA-1BHusky
1-BeechcraBE200KingAir
2-Bell206B-3
2-Bell206L-3
2-Bell412
4-Cessna182
12-Cessna185
2-Cessna185-Amphibian
16-Cessna206
15-CubCraersCC-18TopCub
2-DHC-2Beaver
1-DHC-6TwinOer
7-FoundFBA2C
2-P68Partenavia
1-PilatusPC-12
8-PiperPA-18SuperCub
2-QuestKodiak100
6-QuestKodiak100Amphibian
Theunusedcapacityareflight
hoursthatcouldbeflownbased
on100flighthourspermonthper
pilot.
Pilotsonaveragefly100hoursper
year,usingthisaverageDOIpilots
consistentlyexceededthenaonal
average.
Alowfleetdiversityisdesirable,dueto
savingsinmaintenanceparts.
23 years is the average age
of DOI’s FLEET aircraft
DOI’s
as of 10‐01‐16
111,600 flyable
hours annually
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Fleet Pilot Capacity
DOI
Fleet Manned Pilots: 93
Fleet Unmanned Pilots: 50
Inspectors Pilots: 13
(1.12) pilots per manned aircra)
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page8
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
# of A/C Type of A/C
1PulseVapor55
# of A/C Type of A/C
200Solo
# of A/C Type of A/C
5MLBSuperBat
# of A/C Type of A/C
2Apprence
Fy16 UAS Flight Usage by Bureau
UAS Flight Hours
UAS SAFECOM Reporng, Compleon & Mishap Rate
Mishap Rate
# of A/C Type of A/C
12FalconFixedWing
# of A/C Type of A/C
12FalconHover
Number of SAFECOM Reports
per 100K FH
MISHAP Rate
SAFECOM Reporting Rate
SAFECOM Completion Rate
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page9
FAQ’s for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
Assurance
DOI has employed aircraft in support of
its mission for over 50 years. The goal
of the DOI Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(UAS) program is to incorporate this
new class of aircraft into DOI’s govern-
ment owned and commercially contract-
ed fleet to support DOI missions for
which UAS may be better suited than
manned aircraft, achieving superior sci-
ence, safety and savings.
Departmental aviation program evalua-
tions reveal that field personnel are in-
terested in UAS technologies and ask
many questions regarding UAS use in
DOI.
1. What is an unmanned aircraft system
(UAS)? Definition per the FAA: “An un-
manned aircraft system (UAS), some-
times called a drone, is an aircraft with-
out a human pilot onboard – instead, the
UAS is controlled from an operator on
the ground. When you fly a drone in the
United States, it is your responsibility to
understand and abide by the rules.”
2. How does DOI use unmanned aircraft
systems? Please refer to the DOI web-
site: https://www.doi.gov/aviation/uas
3. Why is DOI using unmanned aircraft sys-
tems? From the DOI website: “DOI mis-
sions can be hazardous to personnel,
require persistent presence, and often
need to be conducted without disturbing
native species or visitors to our lands.
Development of the UAS program within
DOI will support in the accomplishment
of our mission through better science,
greater safety, and increased savings.”
Also, resolution for data collection may
be superior to other methods at a lower
cost in some situations.
4. What types of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems does the DOI have? https://
www.doi.gov/aviation/uas/fleet
5. What types of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems activities has DOI agencies been
involved in? (https://www.doi.gov/
aviation/uas/news) is a good resource
for some of the projects where UAS
have been applied, DOI has been ex-
ploring the application of UAS with fire-
fighting, data collection (land and vege-
tation plots, resource flights, animal sur-
veys) and search and rescue.
6. When we receive an application for a
special use permit and they state they
would like to use a sUAS, or drone, what
guidance should we include or questions
should we ask as part of the permitting
process? If you have a request from
parties wanting to fly drones from lands
managed by your agency, they must
comply with your policies and regula-
tions regarding commercial filming per-
mits. Bureaus are encouraged to con-
tact their aviation managers for infor-
mation if there are concerns.
7. What training do pilots of unmanned air-
craft systems receive? The training re-
quirements for UAS pilot are outlined in
OPM-11. https://www.doi.gov/sites/
doi.gov/files/uploads/opm-
11_08102016.pdf
8. Do agencies need flight approval to op-
erate unmanned aircraft systems?
There is a defined process for beginning
a UAS program within your bureau. Re-
fer to OPM-11 for details and contact
your aviation manager. https://
www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/
opm-11_08102016.pdf
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page10
FAQ’s for sUAS cont.
Assurance
9. Who can receive a Certificate of Au-
thorization (COA) to fly a UAS in the
National Airspace (NAS)?
Access to the national airspace sys-
tem is gained through different chan-
nels depending on the nature of the
mission. Operators are trained in
how to use these authorities during
the basic operator course. More in-
formation can be found in OPM-11.
https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/
files/uploads/opm-11_08102016.pdf
10. Do I need to get approval from the
FAA to fly a model aircraft for recrea-
tion? No, please read the rules for
Hobby Operators https://
www.faa.gov/uas/faqs/#ffr
However you cannot use your per-
sonal aircraft for any DOI business.
Or use data obtained from your hob-
by aircraft. Only OAS approved air-
craft may be used for DOI business.
11. If I fly a UAS for business purposes,
such as new technology develop-
ment, am I required to get approval
from the FAA? Commercial opera
tion of UAS is governed by 14CFR
Part 107. DOI operation of UAS is
governed by OPM-11.
https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/
files/uploads/opm-11_08102016.pdf
12. Can I fly a UAS under a COA or ex-
perimental certificate for commercial
purposes? If you are referring to
Government work, no. All DOI use
of UAS should comply with OPM-11.
https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/
files/uploads/opm-11_08102016.pdf
13. Do UAS have Automated Flight Fol-
lowing (AFF) technology to be
tracked? No DOI UAS are equipped
with AFF. However it is technically
possible to do so if needed.
14. Do I have to notify a dispatch center
if UAS will be flying a mission on my
unit? Refer to your agency policy, if
in doubt contact your aviation man-
ager for more detail.
15. What’s the difference between a
hobby aircraft and a commercial
UAS? Hobby aircraft cannot be used
for any commercial purpose. Nor
can the data obtained from hobby
aircraft. Any commercial use of UAS
must comply with 14CFR Part 107.
DOI use of UAS is required to com-
ply with OPM-11 https://
www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/
uploads/opm-11_08102016.pdf
16. How will Part 107 affect the way we
operate UAS and train operators?
How part 107 will be integrated will
be outlined in the OPM-11 which is
being revised in the near future.
OAS UAS Division
Point of Contact
Brad Koeckeritz
Division Chief, Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(208) 433-5091
Steve Ramaekers
UAS Fleet Manager
(208) 433-5002
Colin Milone
Lead UAS Pilot Inspector
(907) 230-5037
Richard Thurau
Remote Sensing Specialist
(208) 912-2838
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page11
FY16 Aviation Overview
Bureau Annual
Flight Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
BLM 20,945 $32,236,548 $1,539
BLMhasoneofthehighestSAFECOMcompleonrateinDOIforFY16at100%
with1remainingopenfrom2012to2015.Therewere128SAFECOMssub-
miedwhichaccountfor31%ofDOISAFECOMS.Reporngincreasedby31%
fromFY15.
FY16 BLM Fleet Statistics
Manned Aircraft - 6% of
Fleet
6
Aircraft Age
0-10 Years
11-20 Years
> 21 Years
2
1
3
Pilots*
Dual Function Pilots
Independent
6
5
1
Pilot to Aircraft Ratio 2.0
BLM flight hours have increased by 6% from FY15.
BIAhasoneofthehighestSAFECOMcompleonrateinDOIat96%with3
remainingopenfrom2012to2015.Therewere27SAFECOMssubmied
whichaccountfor6%ofDOISAFECOMS.Reporngincreasedby18%from
FY15.
BIA flight hours have increased by 8% from FY15.
Bureau Annual
Flight Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
BOEM
545 $813,103
$1,492
These rates are associated to
pay item codes associated to
flight hours only, doesn’t
include monthly rates, availa-
bility, standby etc..
Bureau Annual
Flight Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
BIA 2,272 $3,349,038 $1,474
BOEM flight hours have increased by 62% from FY15.
BLM UAS Flights 2016
Numberof
UASmissions
22
Missions
Kuna ID, Safford AZ, Douglas AZ,
Meeker CO, Magdalena NM, Cold
Springs WA, Cortez Mine Site,
Salmon ID, Vernal UT, Snake
River ID, Muskrat Canyon, Clacka-
mas OR, St Johns AZ, Swan Falls
Dam
AircraSys-
temType
3DRSolo-26Missions
FalconFixed-10Missions
FalconHover-8Missions
FlightHours
80
*BLMpilotsflycommercialownedgovernmentoperated(COGO)aircrainaddiontofleetaircra.
DualFunconPilots-Pilotswhoalsohaveanotherjob.(Ex.Scienst)
NoSAFECOM’sweresubmiedbyBOEMinFY16,1SAFECOMremainsopen
from2012-2015.
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page12
FY16 Aviation Overview
FY16 FWS Fleet Statistics
Manned Aircraft—60% of
Fleet
57
Aircraft Age
0-10 Years
11-20 Years
> 21 Years
21
13
23
Pilots
Dual Function Pilots
5
37
Pilot to Aircraft Ratio
.74
FWS flight hours have decreased by 8% from FY15.
FY16 NPS Fleet Statistics
Manned Aircraft—33% of
Fleet
31
Aircraft Age
0-10 Years
11-20 Years
> 21 Years
5
6
20
Pilots
Dual Function Pilots
6
15
Pilot to Aircraft Ratio
.68
NPShasaSAFECOMcompleonrateat73%with39remainingopenfrom
2015to2015.Therewere39SAFECOMssubmiedwhichaccountfor
10%ofDOISAFECOMS.Reporngdecreasedby24%fromFY15.
Aviation Mishaps = 1 Accident,2 IWP
NPS flight hours have decreased by 6% from FY15.
Bureau Annual Flight
Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
NPS 12,662 $9,492,146 $750
Bureau Annual
Flight Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
FWS 11,435 $3,954,571 $346
FWShasoneofthehighestSAFECOMcompleonrateinDOI
forFY16at100%with26remainingopenfrom2012to2015.
Therewere21SAFECOMssubmiedwhichaccountfor5%of
DOISAFECOMS.Reporngdecreasedby5%fromFY15.
These rates are associated to
pay item codes associated to
flight hours only, doesn’t
include monthly rates, availa-
bility, standby etc..
NPS UAS Flights 2016
Number of UAS
Missions
1
Missions A450 Training
Course, Grand
Canyon NP
Aircraft System
Type
3DR Solo
Flight Hours
11.8
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page13
FY16 Aviation Overview
BSEEhasoneofthehighestSAFECOMcompleonrateinDOIat100%with1re-
mainingopenfrom2012to2015.Therewere171SAFECOMssubmiedwhich
accountfor41%ofDOISAFECOMS.Reporngincreasedby122%fromFY15.
FY16 Aviation Mishaps = 1 Incident with Potential
(IWP)
BSEE flight hours have increased by 7% from FY15.
FY16 USGS Fleet Statistics
Unmanned Aircraft—27% of
Fleet
20
Aircraft Age
0-10 Years
11-20 Years
> 21 Years
20
0
0
Pilots
Dual Function Pilots
Independent
0
0
1
Pilot to Aircraft Ratio 0.5
USGShasoneofthelowestSAFECOMcompleonratesat38%with8remain-
ingopenfrom2012to2015.Therewere8SAFECOMssubmiedwhichac-
countfor2%ofDOISAFECOMS.Repornghasincreasedby167%fromFY15.
FY16 Aviation Mishaps = 1 Incident with Potential
(IWP)
USGS flight hours increased by 4% from FY15.
Bureau Annual
Flight Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
BOR
177 $169,852 $960
BOR flight hours have decreased by 11% from FY15.
These rates are associated to
pay item codes associated to
flight hours only, doesn’t
include monthly rates, availa-
bility, standby etc..
Bureau Annual
Flight Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
BSEE 8,776 $9,566,500 $1,090
Bureau Annual Flight
Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
USGS 1,688 $1,160,874 $688
BOR UAS Flights 2016
Number of UAS Missions
1
Missions Yankee Fork
Aircraft System Type
3DR Solo
Flight Hours
6.5
USGS UAS Flights 2016
Number of
missions
18
Missions
Canyonlands, Flagstaff AZ,
Conifer CO, Pawnee
Grasslands, Wakefield KS,
Glen Canyon NRA, Bluff-
ton IN, Theodore Roose-
velt NP, Flying J Ranch
NM
Aircraft
System Type
3DR Solo - 9 Missions
Falcon Fixed - 4 Missions
Falcon Hover - 5 Missions
Flight Hours
35.3
NoSAFECOM’s
weresubmied
byBORandno
remainingopen.
OAS flight hours have decreased by 5% from FY15.
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page14
FY16 Aviation Overview
FY16 OAS Fleet Statistics
Manned Aircraft—1% of
Fleet
1
Aircraft Age
0-10 Years
11-20 Years
> 21 Years
0
0
1
Pilots
Inspectors Pilots
Pilots to Aircraft Ratio
1
16
17
OSMhasnoflightinformaon.
Bureau Annual
Flight Hours
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Cost per
Flight Hour
OAS
183 $142,182
$777
OAS
These rates are associated to pay item codes associated to flight hours only, doesn’t
include monthly rates, availability, standby etc..
Performance
Quanty
Program Evaluations completed
12
Interagency Safety Communications Issued
14
Fleet Pilot Evaluations completed
354
Fleet Aircraft Inspections completed
78
Fleet Maintenance facilities inspections completed
4
UAS Operator Inspections
31
Commercial Pilot Evaluations
2,396
Commercial Aircraft Inspections
864
Point to Point Inspections
617
Fuel Service Vehicle Inspections
382
Cooperator Approvals
114
Technical Specifications for procurement reviewed and/
or created
47
Office of Aviaon Services
PERFORMANCE
OAS UAS Flights 2016
NumberofUAS
missions
2
Locaons
BorahPeak
ID,KunaID
AircraSystem
Type
3DR Solo
Rotorcraft
FlightHours
15
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page15
3.
Slide 1– Without good reporting, you
don’t know what your mishap rate is.
USGS mishap rate is high, due to their
low flight hours. BSEE is to be com-
mended for increasing their SAFECOM
reporting rate by 55% over FY15.
Slide 2– FY16 SAFECOM management
continues to improve with DOI’s report-
ing rate increasing by 43% from FY15,
the most significant increase by BSEE.
Slide 3– SAFECOM reporting for the
period (2007-2016) increased 36%, the
average accident rate of 4.69 decreased
by 48%.
Number of SAFECOM Reports per 100K FH
FY16 Overview
2.
SAFECOM Compleon Rate
Number of SAFECOM Reports per 100K FH
1.
Completion Rate
Number of ACCIDENTS Reports per 100K FH
Number of SAFECOM Reports per 100K FH
3.
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page16
FY16 Overview
Top Maintenance
Issues:
 Electrical
 ChipLight
 Engine
 Airframe
 Hydraulic
 Avionics(Radios)
Well represented
Hazards Include:
 Other
 PilotAcon
 PolicyDeviaon
 Communicaons
 Instrucons
 Weather
SAFECOMs by Category
The SAFECOM system is not
intended for initiating punitive
actions. Submitting a
SAFECOM is not a substitute
for "on-the-spot" corrections
to a safety concern. It’s a tool
used to identify, document,
track and correct safety relat-
ed issues. A SAFECOM does
not replace the require-
ment for initiating an accident
or incident report.
SAFECOM.gov
Bureau
Percentage of SAFECOM’s
Submied by Bureau
BSEE 41%
BLM 31%
NPS 10%
FWS 5%
BIA 6%
OAS 5%
OSM 0%
USGS 2%
BOEM 0%
BOR 0%
SAFECOM’s by Month
Management
Maintenance
Accident
Mishap Prevenon
Hazard
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page17
SAFECOM Reporting Success
Risk Management
Did you ever think that by submitting a SAFECOM you could make a
difference? Here’s just one example of a SAFECOM that did make a
difference: SAFECOM 16-0437 highlighted a problem that had been
around for a while but everyone just accepted it. The SAFECOM led
to an Interagency Accident Prevention Bulletin for greater visibility.
Here’s the story:
On June 26, 2016 an AS350 B3 was returning to the helibase after
completing PSD operations when a 3”x 5” piece of the transparent
plastic that covers the sphere chute on the machine broke and flew
off. The qualified Plastic Sphere Dispenser Operator (PLDO) was
aware that the sphere dust cover was cracked prior to launching on
the mission, yet he felt there was no threat since that crack had been
present for many years. After landing, the crew performed a post flight
inspection but failed to identify any aircraft damage.
The next morning, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection on the
same aircraft. Additionally, a mechanic performed a 50 hour mainte-
nance inspection before the aircraft departed from the Cedar City Air-
port. Missions for that day included one reconnaissance flight, one
crew transport flight, two sling load missions and a PSD operation to-
taling three hours of flight time.
After the helicopter was washed, two dents were discovered on the
vertical stabilizer fin six inches below the anti-collision light. They were
approximately one inch wide and three inches in length with a depth
ranging from 1/8 -1/4 inch.
The mechanic conducted a visual and struc-
tural inspection and sent pictures to the con-
tractor’s Director of Maintenance. The Heli-
copter Manager informed the home unit Avia-
tion Officer, Regional Helicopter Operations
Specialist (HOS), and the DOI Maintenance
Inspector of the damage to the aircraft.
The mechanic received word from Director of
Maintenance that the damage was beyond
serviceable limits and the stabilizer fin re-
quired replacement.
It cannot be determined for sure that the piece
of plastic that departed the aircraft on June 26
struck the tail fin and caused the damage that
was discovered after the aircraft wash.
There are numerous examples of things fall-
ing off or out of the aircraft that has resulted in
fatal accidents, most often when they impact
the tail rotor. Previous incidents have taught
us many powerful and painful lessons. Contin-
ued mindfulness is required to prevent repeti-
tion of lessons already learned.
After the SAFECOM was released, several
other sphere covers with cracks were later discovered by regional heli-
copter operations staff within the region where this occurred.
Reporting does make a difference!
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page18
Aircra Mishap Review Board (AMRB)
Policy and Assurance
DOI Bureaus and the Office of Aviation Services continued their
efforts in FY 16 towards closing open Aircraft Mishap Review
Board (AMRB) recommendations. These recommendations were
the result of accidents that have claimed lives, caused injuries,
and/or resulted in significant damage. AMRB recommendations
are part of a bureau-led process aimed at preventing similar mis-
haps from reoccurring in the future.
In FY16, two AMRBs resulted in 9 additional recommended action
items to which 4 have already been closed.
OAS Training Division
‐ IAT.GOV website Update
FY16 Aviation Overview
Locaon Date Result of Review
USGS-Southeast 1/16 9 Findings
BIA-Eastern 03/16 6 Findings
BIA-Navajo 04/16 5 Findings
BIA-Southwest 04/16 5 Findings
BLM-Arizona 04/16 4 Findings
BLM-Alaska 05/16 9 Findings
FWS-MountainPrairie 07/16 9 Findings
USGS-Pacific 08/16 8Findings
NPS-Intermountain 09/16 10Findings
BOR-LowerColorado 3 Findings
NoMaterialWeaknesses
Found
Total68Findings
Department of the Interior
TRAINING BULLETIN
No. DOI TNG 17-02 Date: January 18, 2017
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: Interagency Aviation Training Areas of Responsi-
bility
Distribution: All Aviation Operations
Discussion:
The Office of Av
iation Services Training Branch (OAS-TB)
developed a new pa
ge on the Interagency Aviation Training
(IAT) website to communicate appropriate aviation training
points of contact. The page illustrates geographical assign-
ments of each partner area with the appropriate OAS-TB
contact in addition to bureau/agency contacts. Bureau/
agency contacts can be viewed by placing your cursor over
the map. The new page can be viewed here: https://
www.iat.gov/trainers/index.asp.
FY16 Aviaon Program Evaluaon
Results & Performance
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page19
FY16 Safety Improvement Opportunities
Safety Publicaons
AspartoftheDOImishapprevenonprogramOASin
partnershipwiththeU.S.ForestServicepublishesa
varietyofsafetypublicaons.
hp://oas.doi.gov/
Bureau Connuous
Accident Free Milestones
BSEE 42Years
OSM 29Years
BOR 18Years
USGS 9Years
*BOEM 4Years
BLM 1Year
Accident Prevenon Bullens
AircraFuelPumpColdWeatherKit
AircraFuelFilters
FuelAddives
Pilot’sguidetoIn-FlightIcingOnlineCourse
IdenficaonofHelicopterLandingSite
Safety Alerts
UASIntrusionsImpacngIncidentAirOperaons
KodiakQuestCrewSeatLockingMechanism
Lessons Learned
HelicopterLoadManagement
FireWhirls
EngineChipLight
HelicopterDipSiteOperaons
AssistedIn-FlightEmergency
Bureau Aviaon Managers
BIA-JoelKerley(208)387-5371
BLM-RustyWarbis(208)387-5448
BOR-PhoebePurcell(303)445-3253
BSEE-BradLaubach(703) 787-1295
BOEM-LeeBenner(202)513-7578
FWS-AnthonyLascano(571)213-3021
NPS-JonRollens(208)387-5227
OSM-J.MauriceBanks(202)208-2608
USGS-BillChrisansen(303)236-5513
*contributedtoBSEE’s40yearaccidentfreemilestone
In flying I have learned that carelessness
and overconfidence are usually far more
dangerous than deliberately accepted
risks.
— Wilbur Wright in a letter to his father,
September 1900
Promotions and Achievements
Kevin Fox
OfficeofAviaonServices
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page20
Achievements
Airwards
Chuck Greer
BureauofLandManagement
Michael Jardell
BureauofSafetyandEnvironmental
Enforcement
In-Flight Action Award
Jayson Danziger
ContractPilot
BureauofSafetyand
EnvironmentalEn-
forcement
Paul “Buster”
Delmonte
BureauofLandMan-
agement
Wade Guilloe
BureauofSafetyand
EnvironmentalEn-
forcement
Andrew Spence
ContractPilot
BureauofSafetyand
EnvironmentalEn-
forcement
Louis Kuhn
BureauofLandMan-
agement
Award for Significant Contribution
to Aviation Safety
Thisawardisestablishedtorecognizeanindividual,group,ororganizaon
foroutstandingcontribuontoaviaonsafetyoraircraaccidentprevenon.
Thisindividualsuccessfullyhelpedsecurestateoftheartaircrewsafety-
enhancingequipmentforbranchaircra,whichgreatlyenhancedtheoverall
flyingsafetyofmigratorybirdaircrewmemberswhoperformaerialsurveysin
oenveryremoteregionsofNorthAmericaformanyyearstocome.
Karen L.M. Morgan Steve Ramaekers Gary Brennan
U.S. Geological Survey Office of Aviaon Services Office of Aviaon Services
Promotions and Achievements
Departmental Award for Outstand-
ing Contribution to Aviation Safety
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page21
Safe Flying Awards
In-
GaryD.Brennan-OAS
Raymond(Curs)C.Cebulski-NPS
KennethD.Fowler-OAS
WilliamI.James-OAS
ArlynE.Miller-OAS
ColinB.Milone-NPS
NathanOlson-FWS
DaveRipeo-FWS
DanStevenson-NPS
RobertSundown-FWS
PaulAnderson-NPS
PeterAaronChrisan-NPS
Darry“Lynn”Ellis-NPS
FredH.Goodwin-NPS
PatrickKearney-OAS
TerryLiddick-FWS
SteveMazur-NPS
WalterRhodes-FWS
RobertSpangler-FWS
ScoTaylor-NPS
JamesV.Wikop-OAS
Award of Merit
5yearsor1,000hours
Award of Distinction
10yearsor3,000hours
Award of Excellence
15yearsor5,000hours
JamesG.Casllo- OAS
JamesL.Hummel-NPS
BrianLubinski-FWS
James(Jim)R.Traub-NPS
MikeWade-FWS
CharlesHeywood—USGS
JamesBredy-FWS
MichaelHinkes-FWS
FredRoetker-FWS
MikeSpindlerFWS
Award of Honor
20yearsor7,500hours
Secretary’s Award of Honor
25yearsormorethan10,000hours
TheseawardsarerestrictedtoDOIemployeeswhohavedisnguishedthemselvesbysafeflyingfortheperiodconsidered.
JosephH.Bussard-OAS
StephenEarsom-FWS
EdwardFoster-OAS
KevinB.Fox-OAS
AllenNeilGilliland-NPS
NickHerring-NPS
MarkKoneff-FWS
MariaC.Mancano-OAS
JohnRayfield-FWS
BradleyScoen-FWS
PhillipThorpe-FWS
JimWortham-FWS
Promotions and Achievements
FY16 DOI Annual Aviaon Safety Summary Page22
Babcock,Jeff
Cebulski,Raymond
Chrisan,Peter
Drum,Gregory
Ellis,Darry
Gilliland,Allen
Goodwin,Fred
Herring,Nick
Howell,Galen
Larsen,Amy
Loach,James
Mazur,Stephen
Richoe,Richard
Sample,Sco
Sheldon,Dan
Stevenson,Dan
Taylor,Sco
Naonal Park Service
Bell,Donald
Calderoni,Diego
Curl,R.Ryan
Doherty,Jonas
House,Greg
Lenmark,Paul
McCormick,Robert
Duhrsen,JeffreyL.
Lazzaro,JosephR.
McMillan,Seth
Meieroo,Marn
Warbis,Rusty
Bureau of Land
Management
U.S. Geological
Survey
Heywood,Charles
Bannister,Gene
Brennan,Gary
Bussard,Joe
Casllo,James
Foster,Ed
Fowler,Dale
Fox,Kevin
James,William
Kearney,Patrick
Mancano,Maria
Milone,Colin
Miller,Arlyn
Wikop,Jim
Office of Aviaon
Services
Burchell,Kenneth
Chick,Kevin
Eavasick,Ryan
Haapapuro,Eric
Hertel,Jeffrey
Lindley,Jonathan
Perkins,Christopher
Ryan,Timothy
Tolson,David
Wright,Keaton
NPS Park Police
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Anderson,AnnaJo
Barne,Heather
Bayless,Shawn
Bredy,James
Earsom,Stephen
Ellis,James
Flack,Andrew
Guldager,Nikolina
Hamrick,Harry
Hink,Mike
Kadrmas,Neil
Koneff,Mark
Liddick,Terry
Lubinski,Brian
Mallek,Ed
Mullin,Brian
Olson,Nathan
Powell,Doug
Rayfield,John
Rees,Kurt
Rhodes,Walt
Richardson,J.Ken
Rippeto,Dave
Roberts,Charles
Roetker,Fred
Scoon,Brad
Shults,Bradley
Sowards,David
Spangler,Robert
Spindler,Michael
Sundown,Robert
Thorpe,Philip
VanHaen,Kevin
Wade,Mike
Ward,James
Wortham,James
Yates,Sarah
DOI Accident Free Pilots
Recognizing Excellence
Promotions and Achievements
POLICY:InFY16,twoAMRBsresultedin9recommendedac
onitems,4havealreadybeenclosed.
POLICY:OPM‐29hasbeenthroughanextensiverewritewith
manybureausgivinginput.Besuretoreadthisdocumentlo
catedat
hps://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/opm‐29.pdf
RISKMANAGEMENT:SAFECOM16‐0437highlightedaproblem
thathadbeenaroundforawhilebuteveryonejustacceptedit.
TheSAFECOMledtoanInteragencyAccidentPrevenonBulle‐
nforgreatervisibility.
PremoMKIIIPlascSphereDispenser
(PSD)MachinePlexiglassSphereChuteCoverCrackshps://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/
uploads/iaapb_2016‐04.pdf
ASSURANCE:100%ofallPlanOfAconandMilestones(POAMs)havebeencompletedforaviaon
programevaluaonsconductedtodateina ccordancewithOAS’sISO9001‐2008processrequirements.
ASSURANCE:68AviaonProgramEvaluaonfindingswerefoundamong7bureaus.
ASSURANCE:SAFECOMrepornghasincreasedthisyearby44%demonstrangtheimportanceman‐
agementhasputonbringingsafetyconcernstolight.
PROMOTION:Safeflyingawardsweregiveto43individualsfrom4bureaus/offices.SeveralAirwards
forBLMandBSEE.andUSGSwerealsoawarded.AwardforOutstandingContribuontoAviaonSafety
wasawardedtoKarenMorganfromUSGS,SteveRamaekersandGaryBrennanfromOAS.TheDepart‐
mentalAwardforSignificantContribuontoAviaonSafetywasawardedtoKevinFox.
PROMOTION:Bureausmaintainingexcellenceinaviaonsafetythroughtheirconnuousaccident‐free
yearsrecordinclude:BSEE‐41years;OSM‐29years;BOR‐18years;USGS‐9years;BOEM‐4years.
FY16DOIAnnualAviaonSafetySummaryPage23
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
TakeAwaySheet
2Accidentsand4IncidentswithPotenal
KeithRaley—Chief,AviaonSafetyandProgramEvaluaon,OAS—(208)433‐5071MoniqueWay—AviaonSafetyDataAnalyst,OAS—(208)433‐5070
Annual flight
Usage Cost
Annual Flight
Hours
Cost per Flight
Hour
Fleet
$ 6,594,403 17,116 $ 385
Contract
$ 49,982,908 41,153 $ 1,215
Total Usage $ 56,577,310 58,269 $ 971