RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Friday, April 24, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-139 - Haleakala (Hawaii) - Aircraft Crash with Multiple Fatalities

A tour aircraft with nine people on board en route from Hilo to Oahu
disappeared during the night of April 22nd.  Around 7:00 a.m. on the 23rd, a
media representative contacted the park to check a report that the plane's
wreckage had been found within Haleakala's boundaries.  Park staff learned
that the aircraft's burned wreckage had been spotted from the air by another
plane, and that there was no possibility of survivors.  The reported
location is near the park's boundary at the summit of the crater at an
elevation of about 10,000 feet.  At the time of the initial report, the park
was working to ensure that the FAA had been notified and was sending
personnel to the scene to investigate and secure the site.  No further
information is currently available.  [Karen Ardoin, CR, HALE, via telefax
from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 4/23]

92-140 - Joshua Tree (California) - Earthquake

The 6.1 earthquake which occurred on the Covington Flat Fault near Desert
Hot Springs on Wednesday night caused significant structural damage to park
facilities.  Panels and heating ducts collapsed at the Black Rock Visitor
Center, and varying amounts of damage were reported to park housing, the
park's water tank, and the fire center.  All fire equipment was successfully
moved from the latter facility, however.  At park headquarters, items were
knocked from shelves, but no structural damage has yet been detected.  One
entrance station has been closed, but fees are still being collected at
other stations.  The dams in the park have been checked and show no visible
damage.  Visitors in campgrounds were contacted and warned about the
potential dangers of rockfalls.  Although no injuries were reported in the
park, six persons from outside Joshua Tree were admitted to the High Desert
Hospital with ailments ranging from heart attacks to broken legs.  A number
of seismologists are in the park.  At the time of the report, aftershocks
were occurring on a regular basis, some of them quite strong.  Seismologists
speculate that the shocks on the Covington Flat Fault may create additional
pressure on the San Andreas Fault and cause a major earthquake within the
next few days.  [Paul Henry, CR, JOTR, via telefax from Carl Christensen,
RAD/WRO, 4/23]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) The last major revision of 36 CFR Parts 1-5 was completed in 1983. 
During 1992, we are planning to conduct a review of these parts and prepare
a regulation revision packet to address any needed changes.  On April 13th,
a memorandum was sent to all regional chief rangers asking for suggestions
for possible regulatory revisions.  Please contact your regional office if
you have not received a copy.  If you have any questions, call Tony Sisto at
202-208-7675.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin at all-risk management
review, San Francisco, CA (4/20-4/24); Kreis at NCR/NAR/MAR recreation fee
workshop, Atlantic City, NJ (4/21-4/22); Schamp on annual leave (4/20-4/24);
Marriott on travel (4/20-4/24).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Mattingly instructing S-230, Rapid City, SC
(4/20-4/25); Gale at all-risk management review, San Francisco, CA (4/20-4/23);
Botti on site visit and audit, Big Cypress, Everglades and SERO,
Atlanta, GA (4/20-5/1); Norum on site visit to Everglades and Great Smokies
(4/20-4/27); Broyles and Farrel at NFPA meeting and fire symposium,
Missoula, MT (4/20-4/25).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5572/5573 or 202-208-5572/5573

Telefax:    Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-6756 or 202-208-6756
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977

CompuServe: Branch of R&VP - WASO-RANGER
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO-FIRE-WO

SEAdog:     Branch of R&VP - 1/650
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - 1/655