Grounded Forest Service tankers could be back in air this summer
Agency is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to make sure the planes are safe to fly.
Some large air tankers that had been grounded over safety concerns could be back fighting fires this summer if their private operators can prove they are safe to fly, federal officials said Wednesday at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing.
The Forest Service grounded the 33-plane fleet last month because it had no way to tell if the aging planes were safe. But officials said Wednesday they have worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to develop guidelines to assess the planes' air worthiness, the Associated Press reported.
The private companies that operate the military surplus planes will be asked to supply detailed records showing each plane's flight history, maintenance and other information, said Mark Rey, the Agriculture undersecretary who oversees the Forest Service.
Once that information is received, the Forest Service will work with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board to determine what planes can be returned to service, Rey told the committee.
Pressed by lawmakers as to when the planes could be back in use, Rey said some will probably never return. But others could be returned to service in about 30 days, he said.
"If they have the records, and if the records are adequate, and if the records indicate the planes are airworthy," then some could be returned to service, Rey said, adding, "That's three ifs."