MINOTAFBI21-501 — Crashed, Damaged Or Disabled Aircraft Recovery Program

MINOTAFBI21-501 governs the recovery of crashed, damaged, or disabled aircraft and establishes requirements for the CDDAR program.

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  • Publication number: MINOTAFBI21-501
  • Title: CRASHED, DAMAGED OR DISABLED AIRCRAFT RECOVERY PROGRAM
  • Date: 2017-03-21

View MINOTAFBI21-501 on armypubs.army.mil


The publication defines CDDAR responsibilities, recovery policies, aircraft classifications, safety considerations, and minimum equipment for clearing the active runway. It requires safety practices, crash recovery exercises, risk management, and coordination during aircraft investigations.

Applies to: This instruction applies to all 5th Bomb Wing (5 BW) units and the 54th Helicopter Squadron (54 HS) and does not pertain to the Air National Guard or Civil Air Patrol.

Topics covered

  • Crashed aircraft recovery
  • Damaged aircraft recovery
  • Disabled aircraft recovery
  • Crash recovery exercises
  • Aircraft investigation holds
  • Active runway clearing
  • CDDAR equipment
  • Aircraft classification definitions

Questions and answers

What safety practices does MINOTAFBI21-501 require during crash recovery?

Supervisors at all levels must recognize sources of hazards and apply appropriate safety practices to minimize their effect. (paragraph 1)

Are crash recovery exercises required under MINOTAFBI21-501?

Practice through participation in wing crash recovery exercises and implementation of risk management techniques are imperative for all emergency and crash recovery operations. (paragraph 1)

When can recovery operations proceed during an Interim Safety Board investigation?

When an aircraft is under investigation by the Interim Safety Board (ISB), recovery operations will NOT proceed until the board president in coordination with the installation commander releases the aircraft. (paragraph 1)

Does the CDDAR instruction take precedence over aircraft technical data?

The CDDAR program instruction is procedural and will not take precedence over aircraft specific technical data in recovery of crashed, damaged, or disabled aircraft. (paragraph 1)

Who handles transient aircraft beyond the host CDDAR unit's capabilities?

Transient aircraft beyond the capabilities of the host CDDAR unit are handled by the owning command. (paragraph 3)

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