During Initial Attack on the Moon fire I was in communication with the Air Attack overhead the fire and had been talking with him for the previous 1-2 hours coordinating the utilization of SEATS, LAT's and Helicopters on the incident.
While the Air Attack was working with the two helicopters doing water drops on the fire I observed a non-fire fixed wing aircraft enter into the fire traffic area at what I think was approximately the altitude that the AA was operating at. I immediately attempted to contact the AA to give him warning that an aircraft had entered the into area and ensure that he had a visual on the aircraft. When I attempted to use my KNG-150 my PTT button stopped working and I could not transmit out with the radio so I was unable to warn the AA of the aircraft.
When I was able to make contact with the AA using a different radio he informed me he had not seen the aircraft and was unaware of any additional aircraft entering the area. Luckily the aircraft had left the area and wasn't a factor anymore.
My radio had been working with no issues up to that point on the incident. I had my radio placed in the radio pouch that I use on my fire pack. There was no impact to the radio in any way prior to the PTT button failing. |
