Australia Sets Air Tanker SOPs After 737 Crash Probe

Australia sets air tanker SOPs after 737 crash probe

Australia has introduced its first national standard operating procedures for large air tanker firefighting aircraft, including minimum drop heights, following an investigation into a 2023 Boeing 737 firebomber accident in Western Australia.  The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) announced the new procedures on July 29, 2026. National standard operating procedures have been introduced for large air tanker firefighting aircraft, including…

Near-fatal WA crash triggers nationwide firefighting revamp

New national safety standards mandating minimum drop heights for firefighting aircraft have been introduced to address gaps exposed by a near-fatal Boeing 737 crash in WA’s South West.

Australia sets air tanker SOPs after 737 crash findings

The sharing of large firefighting aircraft across Australian states has been simplified with the introduction of national standard operating procedures. The new standards will replace individual state arrangements across a range of procedures including minimum drop heights, airspeed, flight paths, communications and training. The change addresses safety issues found after a 2023 Boeing 737 accident in Western Australia. The Australian Transport …