Full Breakdown
Two Pilots Killed in Helicopter Crash While Fighting Yosemite’s Dome Fire
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Crash Details
On September 20, 2026, a Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma contracted by Precision Helicopters (operating as Fly Precision) crashed while conducting water-bucket drops on the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park, California. The aircraft went down southeast of Ostrander Lake shortly before 3 p.m. local time. Both crew members were killed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Background & Context
The Dome Fire ignited on September 15 near Wawona and has burned roughly 3,000 acres, remaining about 15 percent contained as of the following Monday. Steep, high-elevation terrain in the park makes aerial water drops essential for suppression. At the time of the crash, the fire was being fought by a multi-agency response that included roughly 580 personnel and nine helicopters.
Data & Statistics
- Fire size: ? 3,000 acres (reported as 3,220 acres by some agencies).
- Containment: 15 percent.
- Pilots killed this wildfire season: five pilots in Colorado, Utah and California, according to Reuters.
- Aircraft: Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma, a twin-engine medium helicopter first flown in 1978.
Official Statements & Responses
The FAA and NTSB have opened investigations; the NTSB expects a preliminary report within 30 days.
Precision Helicopters issued a social-media statement expressing “unimaginable sadness” and requesting privacy for the families.
On-the-Ground Reports
Family members and colleagues described the firefighting community as a close-knit “family.” Mariposa County Supervisor Jenni Kiser posted condolences, noting the tragedy’s resonance with past hardships. A procession of first responders traveled from Mariposa Airport to Modesto to honor the two pilots.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Initial reports identified only one victim, Greg King, a New Zealand-born pilot residing in Alaska. Subsequent local outlets named the second pilot as Ryan Cutter, while other sources withheld the name pending family notification. No definitive cause for the crash has been released; investigators are examining wreckage distribution, engine and gearbox condition, bucket rigging, weather, crew duty hours and communications.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Benjamin Cossel
- “We're all family here. This is our family. We've lost family members,” — Benjamin Cossel
- “As the clouds were moving up from the southwest there were a few clouds at 12,000 feet and most of the extensive cloud cover was at about 25,000 feet,” — Carlos Molina
- “That is a dangerous place to be,” — Jack Cress