Inspection Detail

Inspection: 110529211 - Usda Forest Service

Inspection Information - Office: San Francisco Ro

Investigation Summary

On July 26, 2002, Employees #1 through #5, the five-person crew of a forest service fire engine were dispatched as part of a five-engine strike force to assist with operations at a major fire. Their vehicle was a 33,000 lb, 1991 Ford F-800 truck. Employees #1 and #2 were the fire engine operator and his assistant, respectively, and Employees #3 through #5 were crewmen. At approximately 4:00 p.m., they arrived at the staging area where they were briefed, and at approximately 6:00 p.m. they left for their assigned duties. The engine crew assisted hand crews and patrolled the fire line in Division B along Forest Service Road 15N03A until approximately 4:00 a.m. on July 27, 2002. They arrived back at the staging area at approximately 6:30 a.m., where they stayed until their next shift. At approximately 6:00 p.m. on July 27, the engine crew returned to their assigned location to patrol Road 15N03A. At approximately 1:45 a.m. on July 28, the crew left drop point Number 1 and was traveling south on the forest service road. At approximately 2:01 a.m., the engine plunged off the road down a steep hillside, rolled over numerous times, and came to rest approximately 1,059 ft down the slope. Employees #1 through #3 were killed. Employees #4 and #5 sustained internal injuries and numerous fractures; they were transported to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Keywords: FIREFIGHTER, FRACTURE, HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, ROLL-OVER, FIRE, STEEP GRADE, OVERTURN