Risk Management Magazine

After we landed and shut down, our crew chief was fired up about the event that had just occurred. He was also unhappy about the PC’s choice to continue the flight after half the crew requested to head to parking and shut down. News of the event got back to the standardization pilot, and wisdom was gained by everyone.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for ensuring the safety of Soldiers conducting maintenance operations in Army motor pools. However, a concerning trend persists: combat-issued gear is regularly used in place of proper maintenance PPE — a practice that introduces unnecessary risk.

I pulled in collective and noticed it took a bit more effort than normal to get us off the ground, but both flight controls and the center of gravity felt normal. With lead departing and us at a 5-foot hover, I waited for their downwash and dust to dissipate and then we were on our way — or so I expected.