A devastating midair collision took place between two firefighting helicopters in Southern California, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives, according to AP News. The helicopters were responding to a blaze in the desert approximately 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Los Angeles at the time of the accident.
The helicopters involved were a large Sikorsky S-64E, which was able to land safely after the collision, and a smaller Bell 407, which ultimately crashed, taking the lives of all three people on board. The victims of the crash were identified as Cal Fire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, and contract pilot Tony Sousa, as reported by ABC7.
Initially, Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department resources were dispatched to a nearby structure fire which eventually spread into the surrounding vegetation, prompting a full wildland fire dispatch that included six airplanes and helicopters, AP News reported. The Bell helicopter was deployed for observation and coordination, with the Sikorsky being primarily used for fire suppression by dropping water or retardant on fires, as stated by Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher.
According to Fulcher, it is not uncommon for a wildland fire dispatch to include such resources. The helicopters were part of a half dozen aircraft responding to the initial brush fire which rapidly spread, consuming roughly 20 acres of grass, as indicated by the Times of San Diego.
The midair collision occurred shortly before 7 p.m., sparking an additional 4-acre (1.6-hectare) fire which was later extinguished. Capt. Richard Cordova, a Cal Fire public information officer for the region, mentioned that the weather during the incident was clear with typical breezy winds for the Cabazon area, providing good flying conditions.
The Bell crew's primary mission was to direct other helicopters where to make water and retardant drops in close collaboration with an airplane aircrew higher above, known as “air attack”, according to AP News. Both the crashed helicopter pilot and the Sikorsky crew were operating under contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, while Cal Fire itself operates a fleet of around 60 aircraft along with additional contract-based airplanes and helicopters at bases statewide.
In-flight collisions, although rare, have occurred during previous wildfires in California, recalled Cordova. The accident is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Meanwhile, the firefighting community and the families of the victims mourn the tragic loss of these brave individuals, reminding us of the ever-present dangers and risks faced by those responding to such emergencies.
