There are more aspects to this case. We are most focused on this disaster because a man died and it is a great tragedy for his family. But overall, there is a much broader range of issues that need to be clarified – assessed in an interview with Niezalezna by former Chief Commander of the State Fire Service, Gen. Andrzej Bartkowiak, commenting on findings regarding a possible breach of procedures when deciding to deploy an aging aircraft for a nighttime firefighting operation in the Lublin region.
Breach of procedures
According to findings by Niezalezna, one of the possible causes of the crash of the M-18 Dromader aircraft during a forest firefighting operation in the Lublin region may have been a violation of existing procedures concerning flights conducted after dark. The Dromader is an agricultural and firefighting aircraft that is not certified for night flights, or even flights after dusk.
Asked by Niezalezna, a spokesperson for the State Forests did not want to disclose who issued the order for the flight in this particular case, but admitted that it was not the decision of a single individual.
Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska, when asked about the matter by a TV Republika journalist, stated only that she had no knowledge that “the aircraft lacked any kind of authorization”. Head of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński considered the question to be political in nature.
Actions carried out “hastily”
Former Chief Commander of the State Fire Service and former Head of Civil Defense of the Country, Gen. Andrzej Bartkowiak, admitted in an interview with Niezalezna that the condition of the Dromader aircraft is unsatisfactory. “They are very worn out and have been in service for many years. They are no longer produced, and only thanks to the remarkable skills of Polish mechanics and pilots are these machines still flying”, he said.
He recalled that, among other reasons, while holding leadership positions in the State Fire Service and Civil Defense, he had pushed for the purchase of Black Hawk helicopters for use by the police and fire services. “People forget this, but those Black Hawks are both police and firefighting machines”, he added.
Analyzing this particular situation, he noted that it is difficult to assess, but “the pilot also flew on his own responsibility, because it is always the case that a pilot can refuse, and that must also be taken into account”.
“If the fire had not reached the treetops, it would have been a completely different situation. A crown fire in such a forest creates a microclimate that the aircraft may not have been able to handle. According to existing procedures, these machines should not operate after dusk. Moreover, Black Hawks also do not operate after dusk – these are the regulations in Poland. It is a great drama, a great tragedy”, assessed Gen. Bartkowiak.
He also considered whether the State Forests had appropriate contracts in place in this regard, “or whether everything was done hastily, as was sometimes the case”. “In my opinion, a Black Hawk could have been deployed on the first day, because it could have been sent much earlier. Today, it is said that the crew was not fully assembled. If procedures were violated, the final question will be: what about the pilot? And he was a retired pilot, very experienced, with 22,000 flight hours. If he agreed to the flight, then in the end they will say that he took responsibility for it”, he explained.
A matter for a commission
Asked about the outrage expressed by Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński at the questions posed by a TV Republika journalist regarding the decision-making chain in this case, Gen. Bartkowiak admitted that the pilot acted in response to decisions made earlier by others.
“The minister should not be outraged, because these are natural questions. If he were in opposition, he would also be asking them. I remember how we were attacked over various issues, including the fire on the Biebrza, actions at the border, and so on. I believe we deserve an analysis of the actions of the State Fire Service and the decisions that were made. When did someone call the police, when were documents sent, when was the Black Hawk ready, when was it not, and what was the reason. There are more aspects to this case. We are most focused on this disaster because a man died and it is a great tragedy for the family, and so on. But overall, there is a much broader range of issues that need to be clarified. As far as I know, such conversations that took place within the State Fire Service and the police must certainly be recorded. And if so, they must be available for review, and an appropriate commission should deal with this”, concluded Gen. Andrzej Bartkowiak.