CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Two pilots lost their lives when a firefighting helicopter, a Eurocopter AS32, collided with the terrain inside Yosemite National Park amid efforts to combat the Dome Fire. The crash occurred in Mariposa County at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sept. 20. The aircraft was engaged in aiding crews operating in rugged, difficult landscapes. Federal aviation officials confirmed that both individuals aboard the helicopter perished. The accident site was near Ostrander Lake, where aerial units supported the larger firefighting operation against the wildfire.
According to Precision Helicopters, the pilots involved were Greg King and Ryan Cutter. Both men were actively engaged in wildfire suppression when the crash happened. King had extensive experience flying in wildland fire support missions and had previously collaborated with firefighting teams in Alaska on multiple occasions. The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection acknowledged his longstanding service after the incident. Precision Helicopters also verified Cutter’s identity following notifications to his family members.
Authorities reported that the helicopter was performing water bucket operations prior to the crash. Aircraft have been crucial in supporting firefighters in Yosemite’s steep terrain, where ground access is limited. Their tasks have included water drops, relocating personnel, and delivering supplies. Hundreds of firefighters have contributed to creating containment lines around the Dome Fire. The crash has added a tragic aviation loss to an already intricate wildfire response involving ground crews, aircraft, and remote operations.
Dome Fire Continues to Grow in Yosemite
As of Sept. 22, the Dome Fire covered 3,420 acres and was 15% contained, according to California incident reports. The wildfire began on Sept. 15 north of Wawona Dome within Yosemite National Park. Its cause remains undetermined. Firefighters face challenges from dense timber, heavy ground fuels, and rugged terrain as they work along the fire’s perimeter. Natural granite formations and areas burned in previous fires also shape the landscape in the midst of ongoing suppression activities.
The National Park Service reported that 581 personnel were assigned to the incident on Sept. 21. Crews continued to reinforce and extend containment lines across more remote areas of the park. They also tackled spot fires and regions with thick fallen vegetation. Aircraft provided crucial water drops and logistical support to ground operations throughout the affected zones. Most of Yosemite remained open, although certain areas near the active fire zone and surrounding backcountry routes were closed off by authorities.
Federal Agencies Probe Deadly Helicopter Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board along with federal aviation agencies are conducting an investigation into the helicopter accident. No cause has yet been announced. Records identify the aircraft as a Eurocopter AS32 involved in firefighting near Mariposa. Investigators are expected to scrutinize the wreckage, flight data, and other relevant evidence as part of the official inquiry. At this stage, authorities have not linked the crash to weather conditions, mechanical failure, or any other specific factor. No conclusive findings have been issued regarding the cause of the aircraft’s descent.
Fire restrictions and closures persist across parts of southern Yosemite as firefighting efforts continue on the Dome Fire. The Ostrander Lake Trail and areas south of it remain closed. Trails around Chilnualna Falls and other nearby backcountry routes are also affected. Authorities have not issued any evacuation orders or warnings in the latest updates. Meanwhile, firefighting teams persist in suppression activities while investigators examine the fatal helicopter incident that claimed the lives of King and Cutter during the California wildfire response.