Small Twin Engine Aircraft Rescue

[Wayno]

Recently we had a small twin engine passenger plane make an unexpected landing in our response area. The aircraft landed in a densly populated area. There were 4 passengers on board. Unfortunatly the pilot and co-pilot were DOA, but we still had two trapped in the rear seats. I think our rescue crew did an awesome job in extrication. Everything we did we based on Automobile extrication and it worked fine. However we want to learn from our experience and be more prepared for the future. This was our first airplane extrication. Does anyone have any ideas, information or past experience that they would like to share?

[S. Cook]

Small piston airplanes. Air chisels, sawsalls and auto extrication techniques work. They are just aluminum skin and framing in most cases. The windows are plexiglass. Fuel tanks are in the wings (most of the time), fuel lines generally run from the inboard side of the wings to the engine underneath the floorboard area. Shut off the power. Find the flight manual if possible/time allows. It will point out where the batteries and other good info are. Watch out for the pitot tubes, they might be extremely hot. Don't forget to stabilize it and get a line down.

Best thing to do would be to go to an aircraft repair center and ask them to let you look around and some of the planes being repaired. Often, they'll have the seats out, inspection covers off and you'll be able to see quite a bit.

[This message has been edited by S. Cook (edited April 14, 1999).]

[bechereg]

Battery powered sawzall and skill saws work well on aircraft skin. We have drilled with them and had good results. They work good also on autos.
stay safe
Ed

[Rescue 42]

Fuel spills are common in small piston powered aircraft crashes, and the fuel tends to be high octane (100). Because of the extreme volatility, powered tools may be out of the question. Firefighters in full PPE with SCBA, and water/foam lines charged and staffed with 2 is SOP. Foam application prior to entry may be needed. We keep a "K" tool (our name for it?) which is essentially a big can opener (Paratech sells something similar) for cutting skins. Bolt cutters, shears, and tin snips work great, and reduce the risk of sparks. Hydraulic tools with manual pumps (we don't have one) would do the job. We use Hi-Lifts with Jack-Mates to do the same thing but faster.

If there is no fuel leak, you can treat it like a car (as mentioned above). Just remember to go for the master power switch first if possible. Most pilots would have cut their master as part of their forced landing procedures.

Tim O'Connell
Rescue 42
Butte County Fire


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