Helicopter configuration

Since the occurrence, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has undertaken several actions aimed at improving fleet standardisation and further reducing potential operational risks. These actions include:

• Completion of a fleet standardisation review and associated risk assessment for the modification and shortening of all extended left-hand forward flight steps across the Bell 412 fleet.
• Progressive implementation of a Bell 412 fleet standardisation program to improve commonality of aircraft systems, cockpit layouts, avionics and pilot operating interfaces across the fleet.
• Incorporation of standardisation modifications into scheduled major maintenance and 5-year inspection programs. At the time of the response, 2 of the 6 aircraft have completed the full suite of standardisation modifications with a third aircraft currently undergoing modification.
• The remaining aircraft will be progressively modified through planned maintenance cycles, with fleetwide implementation scheduled for completion by 2028.
• Ongoing review of aircraft configuration arrangements and equipment installations across the fleet, including the implementation of interim configuration adjustments where appropriate to address identified operational and safety considerations pending completion of the broader standardisation program,

In addition, NSW RFS and Coulson Aviation Australia are investigating options for alternative FLIR camera mounting arrangements to determine whether visibility outcomes can be improved while maintaining operational capability requirements. This work remains subject to engineering assessment, certification requirements and operational evaluation.

NSW RFS and Coulson Aviation Australia also plan to undertake a broader risk assessment examining the relative risks and benefits associated with fixed FLIR installations across the Bell 412 fleet. This work will consider visibility impacts during bucketing operations alongside the important operational benefits provided by FLIR capability across intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, winching, search and rescue, emergency response and night operations.

In addition, Coulson Aviation Australia and the NSW RFS initiated a fortnightly safety meeting aimed at creating greater communication, coordination and accountability over safety between the 2 organisations.

As part of Coulson Aviation Australia’s Bell 412 standardisation program, 4 of the 6 aircraft have had their skid tubes modified to the shorter configuration. The remaining 2 aircraft are scheduled to receive the same modification during their next planned deep‑level maintenance input, completing fleetwide standardisation.

In addition, NSW RFS and Coulson Aviation Australia are investigating options for alternative FLIR camera mounting arrangements to determine whether visibility outcomes can be improved while maintaining operational capability requirements. This work remains subject to engineering assessment, certification requirements and operational evaluation.

NSW RFS and Coulson Aviation Australia also intend to undertake a broader risk assessment examining the relative risks and benefits associated with fixed FLIR installations across the Bell 412 fleet. This work will consider visibility impacts during bucketing operations alongside the important operational benefits provided by FLIR capability across intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, winching, search and rescue, emergency response and night operations.

In addition, Coulson Aviation Australia and the NSW RFS initiated a fortnightly safety meeting aimed at creating greater communication, coordination and accountability over safety between the 2 organisations.

NSW RFS and Coulson Aviation Australia’s safety actions address the effect of the flight step, and will assess the options available for the FLIR camera. More importantly, the safety actions address the broader issue of helicopter configuration by implementing mechanisms to continually assess and monitor related risks. Continued monitoring of operations will be important to ensure that the revised flight step remains effective and that no further issues arise from the concurrent use of the bucket and camera.