National standard operating procedures have been introduced for large air tanker firefighting aircraft, including minimum drop heights, addressing a safety issue identified by the ATSB in its investigation of a Boeing 737 firebomber accident in south-west WA in 2023.
On 6 February 2023, a Boeing 737 large air tanker impacted a ridgeline on rising terrain after completing a drop during a bushfire-fighting task in the Fitzgerald River National Park.
Fortunately, the two pilots on board survived the accident. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision and post-impact fire.
The ATSB’s final report into the accident, published in November 2024, identified several safety factors which contributed to, or increased risk in, the accident.
Among these, the investigation highlighted how Australian states and territories had developed their own separate standard operating procedures for large air tankers engaged in firefighting operations.
“The investigation found differing standards between jurisdictions could result in safety requirements being omitted or misunderstood by the various tasking agencies, such as a minimum drop height,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“This resulted in inconsistencies in the development and application of large air tanker standard operating procedures (SOPs).”
In response to this finding, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council committed to develop national large air tanker SOPs.
These SOPs have now been collaboratively developed, endorsed and adopted by all Australian fire agencies, through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC).
Version 1.0 of the SOP document was published on the NAFC website (here) on 30 June 2026.
“This document represents a new national standard for large air tanker operations in Australia, with clear requirements for aerial supervision, task profiles and communication protocols,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Large air tankers, which can quickly move around the country in response to operational need, play an increasingly critical role in the management and suppression of bushfires in Australia.
“As such, the implementation ofnational air tanker standard operating procedures represents a significant milestone in the ongoing maturity of the aerial firefighting safety system in Australia.
“We welcome the introduction of these national SOPs and acknowledge the high level of collaboration and consultation required by all stakeholders responsible for their development and implementation.”
Read the Safety Issue description: National Large Air Tanker standard operating procedures