Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Two Pilots Killed as S-64 Skycrane Crashes While Fighting Utah Wildfire

The NTSB and FAA have opened a formal probe that could affect how the Forest Service uses contracted heavy‑lift helicopters in extreme fire conditions.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane crashed while making water drops near Richfield, Utah, and both contracted pilots were killed.
  • The crash occurred on Friday, Aug. 7, and the impact ignited nearby vegetation so steep terrain and active fire forced responders to withdraw before reaching the wreckage.
  • Search teams reached the site the next day, recovered the remains, and the Utah Medical Examiner has the pilots’ bodies.
  • One pilot has been publicly identified as Miles Elliott of Porterville, California, and family sources have reported the second pilot as Christopher V. Andersen.
  • The NTSB and FAA are investigating but on-scene work was delayed by hazardous conditions, and the accident raises questions about the risks of exclusive-use heavy‑lift contracts during large, active wildfires.