YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (KFSN) — The two pilots killed when a firefighting helicopter crashed while battling the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park have been identified as Greg King and Ryan Cutter, according to their employer.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter AS32 Super Puma helicopter contracted through Precision Helicopters for the U.S. Forest Service, crashed Sunday afternoon during firefighting operations in Mariposa County. Both pilots were killed.
Benjamin Cossel, a public information officer with California Incident Management Team 3, said the crew was conducting water drops as part of suppression efforts when the crash occurred.
“That crew was working on doing bucket drops as a part of our suppression operations. The helicopter did crash and the two pilots on board were killed,” Cossel said.
According to fire officials, the helicopter departed from the Batterson Helipad outside Oakhurst and was scooping water from Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park when it crashed. The remains of the two pilots were recovered Monday afternoon.
The pilots were based in Idaho’s Payette National Forest and worked together as a flight crew for Precision Helicopters. The loss has deeply affected firefighters and aviation crews assigned to the Dome Fire.
“We’re all family here. This is our family. We’ve lost family members,” Cossel said.
The Super Puma helicopter was used in support of firefighting operations in some of the region’s steepest terrain, transporting crews, rappelling firefighters into remote areas and conducting water drops.
Andy Jones, chief of aviation for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, worked with King during his time in Alaska and described him as one of the industry’s most respected aerial firefighters.
Reflecting on the impact of the deaths, Jones said the close-knit firefighting community is grieving together.
“In a profession where we stand side by side, trust one another with our lives, and treat each other like family. We feel this loss together.” Losing our brother-it takes the wind out of your sails.”
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On Monday night, Precision Helicopters posted a tribute to the two pilots, writing: “These two men brought honor to the mission. Their dedication and service will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.”
Mariposa County Supervisor Jenni Kiser also expressed condolences in a social media post Monday.
“Tragedies like this are never far from home. They bring back memories of unimaginable hardship and remind us of the heroes who risk their lives, day and night, in service to others. My heart is also with the families here at home for whom this tragedy reopens the pain of their own loss, and with every community that has been asked to endure this kind of heartbreak again and again. May we hold all who are grieving close in our hearts.”
The crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. The NTSB will lead the investigation, and a preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
Meanwhile, the Dome Fire continued burning Monday. Fire officials reported the wildfire had grown to 3,420 acres and was 15% contained as of 5 p.m. Officials said there are no threats to infrastructure.
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