Two pilots lost their lives in a helicopter crash while combating a wildfire in Yosemite National Park. The aircraft, part of the firefighting efforts, went down during water bucket operations on the Dome Fire, as reported by the Associated Press (AP).
Pilots Identify as Ryan Cutter and Greg King
Authorities confirmed that Ryan Cutter and Greg King were the individuals aboard the helicopter. Precision Helicopters, contracted for the firefighting mission, employed both pilots. Social media posts by the company revealed the identities of the deceased.
Cutter’s profile on LinkedIn shows he had been a helicopter pilot since 2011 and spent a year and a half with Precision Helicopters. A GoFundMe campaign depicted him as a “deeply loved husband, son, friend, and godfather.”
Greg King previously engaged in fighting wildland fires in Alaska and collaborated extensively with the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, according to their statement. The agency acknowledged King’s ties to their community, stating, “Greg was a dedicated aviator and a dear friend to many of us.” They expressed sorrow for the loss of the pilots and extended condolences to their families.
Acknowledgments and Investigations
Precision Helicopters paid tribute to both men, emphasizing their honor and dedication to the mission in a social media post. The Super Puma helicopter was assisting in suppressing the Dome Fire when it crashed near a lake, Benjamin Cossel from the Federal Complex Incident Management Team stated.
The FAA announced that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would spearhead the investigation into the crash. Concurrently, efforts to control the Dome Fire are ongoing, with approximately 580 personnel involved. The fire has affected around 4.7 square miles and is 15% contained, according to the AP.
The crash site is southeast of Ostrander Lake, nearly seven miles northeast of Wawona and approximately nine miles south of El Capitan, Yosemite National Park.
Community Mourns the Loss
A procession for the fallen pilots passed through Merced, California, on Monday, Sept. 21. Fox 26 reported the somber event. Community members shared their feelings through social media, offering prayers and condolences for the families of Cutter and King.