FLYING Magazine
Two crewmembers were killed in a helicopter crash while battling a wildfire Sunday in California.
According to authorities, the Eurocopter AS332L1 Super Puma was performing water bucket drops on a blaze in Yosemite National Park before it went down around 3 p.m. PST.
Authorities have not released the names of the deceased as of Monday afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is in charge of the investigation.
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The helicopter was operated by Fly Precision, a full-service aviation company based in McMinnville, Oregon, that offers everything from unmanned drones and aircraft maintenance to firefighting and aircraft charters.
“It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team,” a statement on Fly Precision’s website read. “We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words. We ask for privacy and compassion for their families and our team as we grieve this tremendous loss. Please keep their families, loved ones, and our entire team in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
The helicopter crew were assigned to the Dome Fire that has been burning in a particularly remote part of Yosemite since last week.
According to Jay Nichols, a spokesperson with the U.S. Forest Service, the fire cannot be reached by ground-based motorized vehicles, so crews must hike in and rely on hand tools and aerial support. Thus far the fire is approximately 15 percent contained and has burned more than 3,023 acres near the Wawona Campground area.