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

FMI: www.fire.ca.gov/