CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – The Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies are investigating a fatal helicopter crash that occurred over Yosemite National Park on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of two pilots during efforts against the Dome Fire. The Eurocopter AS32 went down approximately at 2:55 p.m. local time on Sept. 20 in Mariposa County. According to officials, the aircraft crashed during firefighting activities. Both individuals aboard the helicopter lost their lives. The incident happened as ground crews and aircraft operated across the rugged terrain within the California national park.
Precision Helicopters identified the fallen pilots as Greg King and Ryan Cutter. King was highly experienced in wildland firefighting support, including deployments in Alaska. The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection stated he had collaborated with their crews on numerous fires. Following notification to the pilots’ families, the helicopter operator also confirmed Cutter’s identity. The two men were engaged in firefighting efforts as part of the response to the ongoing wildfire in Yosemite.
Officials involved in the operation reported that the helicopter was performing water bucket work when the crash occurred near Ostrander Lake. Helicopters played a crucial role in supporting firefighting efforts throughout the remote fire zone, including water drops, transportation of personnel, and delivery of supplies to hard-to-reach areas. The fatal accident marked a tragic addition to an emergency mission that had already mobilized hundreds of firefighters and multiple aircraft.
Dome Fire Expands to 3,420 Acres
As of September 22, the Dome Fire had expanded to 3,420 acres and was 15% contained, according to California’s current incident data. The blaze, which started on September 15 north of Wawona Dome within Yosemite National Park, remains under investigation for its cause. Firefighters have been battling flames consuming timber and heavy ground fuels, with the terrain shaped by previous fire scars and natural granite formations surrounding suppression activities.
On September 21, the National Park Service reported that 581 personnel were assigned to the fire as they bolstered containment lines. Fire crews are contending with difficult conditions across steep, rugged terrain, managing spot fires and areas with significant dead and downed vegetation. Aircraft continue to assist ground operations through water drops and logistical support. Fire managers have strategically positioned resources around nearby communities while maintaining control efforts within the main fire zone and its northern sections.
Investigation Launched into the Helicopter Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board along with federal aviation authorities are probing the circumstances surrounding the helicopter accident. As of now, no official cause has been announced. The FAA confirmed the aircraft as a Eurocopter AS32 and stated that the crash took place during firefighting operations near Mariposa. Investigators are expected to review aircraft data, operational records, and other evidence before reaching conclusions. No links have been made publicly connecting the incident to weather conditions, mechanical failures, or other specific factors.
Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park remains open to visitors, although parts of the park are affected by fire-related closures. Officials shut down the Ostrander Lake Trail and surrounding areas south of it, along with trails around Chilnualna Falls and nearby backcountry routes. No evacuation orders or warnings have been issued in the latest update. The Dome Fire continues to burn actively, with firefighting efforts ongoing while federal investigators examine the fatal helicopter crash that claimed the lives of King and Cutter.