Risk Management Magazine

As aviation professionals, we all try our very best to accomplish the mission. Sometimes, this desire to produce the best results in a minimal amount of time works against us. This article highlights an instance where my desire to get the job done in the least amount of time turned into a Class C mishap.

In a rush to get the bump aircraft run up, the PC passed in front of the weapon the door gunner was carrying and arrived at the aircraft an instant before the door gunner placed the weapon on the ground. Then, the inevitable happened. As the 240H was placed on the ground, it discharged.

Eventually, all the recovery equipment was expended, but vehicles continued to fail. As a result, the return road march lasted four hours longer than planned. Fortunately, no lives were lost and injuries were limited to smashed fingers and minor cuts.