WATSONVILLE — Watsonville Municipal Airport is updating its procedures of how it supplies fuel to emergency aircraft.
The change was sparked by an audio clip posted online in which an airport employee told a Cal Fire helicopter pilot that it was too late to refuel, and that he would have to pay a $150 after-hours fee.
In the clip, the pilot requested a top-off, “If you guys are still able.”
“We won’t be able,” the employee replied. “We do have an after hours fee, if you’d like the services. We leave at 5 o’clock. I could have somebody stay, stand by, after, but there is an after hours fee for that.”
The pilot responded that he was just 30 seconds away, and asked the employee to make an exception.
But the employee still refused.
“Yeah, we close the trucks at 4:30 and we’re out of here at 5,” he said.
The pilot then said he would refuel at San Martin airport instead.
Watsonville Assistant City Manager Matt Huffaker said the airport has supported Cal Fire’s efforts to fight the Bear Fire since Tuesday.
That includes establishing a special landing zone, ordering additional fuel and providing fuel to Cal Fire helicopters throughout the day at a discounted rate, Huffaker said.
“This incident was not acceptable and identified a gap in our airport operating procedures,” he said. “As a result, we are working with airport staff to update our procedures to ensure the airport is always available during times of emergency.”
Airport Director Rayvon Williams said the pilot’s request came after the fueling operations had been shut down for the day. He added that self-service fuel was an option for the pilot.
“However, as a result of this incident, we are updating our procedures to ensure the airport operations and manned fueling options are available during emergency events,” Williams said. “Tuesday’s incident does not reflect our commitment to supporting our neighbors, especially in cases of emergency.”
