The National Transportation Safety Board has issued recommendation letters to several firefighting and aviation agencies regarding new maintenence programs for aircrafts used in firefighting missions.
The recommendations are part of a package that includes probable causes for three air taniker accidents including the crash in Walker California nearly two years ago.
It advises that current programs don't adequately account ofr the increased risks the aircraft are exposed to because of the advanced age and severe stresses of the firefighting environment.
NTSB officials say they hope the recommendations will help raise awareness to the importance of a thorough maintenance program.
