Yosemite National Park tragedy: 2 pilots killed as helicopter crashes during Dome fire response
Two members of a helicopter crew lost their lives on Sunday when their aircraft experienced a catastrophic failure while engaged in firefighting operations at Yosemite National Park.
A helicopter crash during firefighting operations at Yosemite National Park resulted in the deaths of two crew members on Sunday. (Bloomberg)The helicopter descended shortly before 3 p.m. carrying two persons in Mariposa County, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.
A Type 1 Super Puma helicopter, operated by Price Valley Helitack of Idaho, was providing support for suppression efforts related to the Dome Fire. According to wildfire management officials, the aircraft carried no firefighting personnel aboard.
Fly Precision, an aerospace corporation, verified that both crew members perished, characterizing the incident as profoundly “devastating”.
"It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team. We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words. We ask for privacy and compassion for their families and our team as we grieve this tremendous loss."
The pilots’ identities have not been released yet.
The incident took place while firefighting personnel were engaged in combating the Dome Fire, which had consumed in excess of 3,000 acres following its initiation on September 15.
The underlying cause is presently subject to investigation by both the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Yosemite National Park stands as one of the United States' most distinguished national parks, offering exceptional scenic vistas, comprehensive hiking opportunities, and premier family vacation experiences throughout the country.
Situated in central California, Yosemite National Park was founded in 1890 and attracts approximately four million visitors annually. Approximately 95 percent of the park's 747,956 acres (comparable in size to Rhode Island) is designated as wilderness area.
Yosemite National Park provides extensive recreational activities and notable sightseeing attractions. The Valley comprises a 7-mile-wide canyon featuring remarkable geological formations, notably El Capitan, recognized as the world's most elevated granite monolith and among the world's most prestigious rock climbing destinations.
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More
