NTSB Says Sikorsky S-64 Descending When It Collided with Bell 407 | Aviation International News

NTSB: S-64 Descending as It Collided with Bell 407

Firefighting helicopters took different routes around terrain before collision

Path taken by S-64 and Bell 407 helicopters before midair collision — Two helicopters under contract to Cal Fire in response to the Broadway Fire west of Palm Springs, California, just before dusk on August 6 collided after flying separate routes around terrain. Both crew on the S-64 survived while the three occupants of the Bell 407 perished. (Image: NTSB)

By Mark Huber • Contributor

September 5, 2023

A firefighting Sikorsky S-64 was descending when it collided with a firefighting Bell 407 last month near Cabazon, California. All three aboard the 407 were killed in the subsequent crash. The two aboard the S-64 were uninjured.

Both aircraft were under contract to Cal Fire and were part of an initial attack response to the Broadway Fire west of Palm Springs, California, just before dusk on August 6. A preliminary report from the NTSB found that the right main landing gear tire on the S-64 was damaged, with “an approximate 12-inch portion not located.”

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Bell 407 Series

Bell

Sikorsky Aircraft

Aviation Wins with Reversal of Indy Heliport Closure

Plans called for selling the 5.36-acre property to the city of Indianapolis

VAI's Cade Clark and Katia Veraza

Romania Orders 12 SAFE-backed H225M Helicopters

Initial fleet renewal could precede additional 30 domestically assembled units

Two H225Ms in flight

Falcon Executive Cleared for Flights at Dubai Helipark

Facility at Al Maktoum International Airport will complement the group’s FBO

Dubai Helipark

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helicopter Sales Activity Up

Pricing on heavy twins reached a five-year high in the first half

Sikorsky S-92 in flight

Louisiana Rotor Pathway Advances Rotorcraft Careers

Program started with Utah and North Dakota

Airbus Helicopters H215 Super Puma helicopter

Nepal Relief Efforts Need More Support and Coordination

Local rotorcraft industry leader urges international partners to get involved in crisis

Nepal army helicopter

Boltoukhine Named Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Frederic Lemos departs after serving as CEO of ACH since 2017

Nicolas Boltoukhine

Avincis Orders Five McDermott 214ST Utility Helicopters

Medium twin-engine rotorcraft will supplement European firefighting operations

Artist's impression of Avincis' McDermott 214ST helicopters