New details have emerged regarding the final moments of a firefighting helicopter that crashed in Yosemite National Park, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. The preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) outlines the aircraft's terrifying final seconds as it battled the Dome Fire on September 20.
The Eurocopter AS32 Super Puma helicopter, crewed by pilots Greg King, 56, and Ryan Cutter, had been engaged in firefighting operations for nearly three hours, completing over 25 water drops. The aircraft experienced issues with its 800-gallon water bucket, prompting a return to the helibase for repairs. Mechanics reportedly tightened the bucket's air pressure regulator and performed a pressure check before clearing the helicopter to resume its mission.
Less than 30 minutes after taking off again, disaster struck. After collecting water from Ostrander Lake, the pilots completed two drops near a designated landing area. According to flight-tracking data, the helicopter swerved to the left during its third drop. The water bucket emptied in approximately three seconds as the aircraft began to descend rapidly toward the trees.
The NTSB report indicates the helicopter's groundspeed plummeted, and its descent rate reached 1,344 feet per minute. Investigators noted that the water bucket appeared to drop almost vertically before contacting the ground. Roughly one second later, the helicopter's cargo hook released the 200-foot cable, causing the longline to fall away as the aircraft surged forward. However, the movement was insufficient to avoid impact.
About five seconds after the bucket struck the ground, the helicopter crashed into trees on a steep, wooded slope, killing both pilots. The wreckage caught fire, destroying significant portions of the aircraft, including the cockpit and instruments.
Investigators located the water bucket approximately 90 feet from the main wreckage. The cargo hook was found in a locked position, suggesting the cable had been released electronically. An aviation expert suggested the water bucket's potential involvement in the accident warrants further investigation, but cautioned that preliminary findings do not establish pilot error.
The NTSB has recovered the helicopter's cockpit voice recorder and is analyzing audio from ground recordings to examine engine and rotor speeds. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. The tragedy has deeply affected Fly Precision, the private firefighting company that employed King and Cutter. The company described King as a "legend" in Alaska's aviation community and praised both pilots' skills and dedication.