Three Dead In California Firefighting Helicopter Midair | Aviation International News

Three Dead In California Firefighting Helicopter Midair

Air Crane, Bell 407 collide while fighting Broadway Fire

Air Crane S-64 — An Air Crane helicopter fighting the Broadway Fire in California collided in midair with a Bell 407, killing the three aboard the 407.

By Mark Huber • Contributor

August 7, 2023

The NTSB is investigating after two California firefighting helicopters collided in midair last evening just before sunset. The aircraft—a 1975 Sikorsky S-64E Air Crane and a 2004 Bell 407—were responding to the Broadway Fire in Cabazon, 17 miles northwest of Palm Springs. The 407 was being operated by Aero Leasing of Medford, Oregon, on behalf of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The three aboard that aircraft died and the wreckage ignited another small brush fire.

Also under contract to Cal Fire and operated by Siller Helicopters of Yuba City, California, the S-64E made a hard landing and all three onboard survived. The accident was reported shortly before 7:20 p.m. local time. Sunset was at 7:42 p.m

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