Originally published at: Two Killed in S-64 Skycrane Accident Fighting Utah Wildfire
The heavy-lift helicopter went down Friday during water-dropping operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire.
Aerial firefighting is a difficult, dangerous job. Suppression helicopters fly just above the trees and often in rugged terrain and dense smoke. The aircraft are heavy with fuel and suppressant and often at the limit of their load and performance capacity. I flew fires in a Cessna 185F scout plane for a state forest service for seven years and worked with many helicopters and tankers. The skill and professionalism of those pilots has always impressed me. My sincere condolences to the families of the pilots.
There’s confusion as to whether it went into the pond it was taking water form or terrain.
Either way a tragedy.
Appears from Facebook that other S-64s are still flying.
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