Witnesses heard a loud bang or snap before a helicopter supporting firefighter operations near the community of Anderson separated and then crashed last month, killing the pilot, who was from Wasilla.
Witnesses heard a loud bang or snap before a helicopter supporting firefighter operations near the community of Anderson separated and thenIt was the first fatality related to Alaska wildfires in 22 years, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry and Wildlife Management.
He was attempting to take equipment to firefighters battling the Clear fire in the Denali Borough by carrying it with a long line attached to a hook under the helicopter.After the loud noise was heard, witnesses said the helicopter “bucked,” rolled right and began going to the ground. “As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to hook up to the external load, a loud mechanical noise is heard, and a shudder is seen radiating through the helicopter,” the report said.
The transmission was found with the rotor head and blades still attached about 20 feet from the main wreckage, the report said.