Two pilots killed in Utah helicopter crash during wildfire operations

Two pilots were killed on Friday when a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane helicopter crashed during firefighting operations at the Widemouth 2 Fire near Richfield, Utah. The aircraft, operated by Helicopter Transport Services under a U.S. Forest Service contract, was conducting water drops at approximately 10:40 a.m. when the accident occurred.

Emergency responders were initially unable to reach the wreckage due to a separate fire ignited by the crash and the rugged, steep terrain. Personnel were only able to access the site on Saturday to recover the remains. The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the circumstances of the accident.

One of the deceased has been identified as Miles Elliott of Porterville, California. The second pilot, Christopher Andersen, 64, of Stateline, Nevada, was also identified. The tragedy occurs during an exceptionally difficult wildfire season in the West, driven by warm winters and low snowpack, which has already resulted in several other firefighter fatalities across the region.