Two pilots killed in helicopter crash fighting Dome Fire in Yosemite
Synopsis
A contract helicopter dropping water on the Dome Fire inside Yosemite crashed in Mariposa County on Sunday, killing both pilots on board. One victim has been identified as Greg King, described by his agency as a 'dedicated aviator.' The Dome Fire is only 15 per cent contained nearly a week after ignition, and federal investigators have now opened a probe into the crash.
Key Takeaways
Two pilots were killed when a contract helicopter crashed during the Dome Fire response in Yosemite National Park on Sunday, 21 September .
The crash occurred at approximately 2:55 pm local time in Mariposa County , southeast of Lake Ostrander .
One pilot has been identified as Greg King ; the second pilot's identity is withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
The FAA and NTSB have both opened investigations into the crash.
The Dome Fire is 15 per cent contained and was first reported on 15 September near Chilnualna Falls; Yosemite remains open.
Two pilots died after a contract helicopter crashed during active firefighting operations on the Dome Fire, a wildfire burning inside Yosemite National Park in California, the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection confirmed on Monday. The crash occurred at approximately 2:55 pm local time on Sunday in Mariposa County, with both people aboard the aircraft killed.
What Happened
The helicopter was performing a water bucket operation — actively dropping water on the fire — when it went down southeast of Lake Ostrander inside Yosemite, according to a spokesperson for California Complex Incident Management Team 3, the agency overseeing the Dome Fire response. The circumstances that caused the crash remain under investigation.
The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection identified one of the deceased pilots as Greg King, describing him as a 'dedicated aviator and a dear friend to many of us.' The identity of the second pilot has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Investigation Under Way
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash. No preliminary findings have been made public.
State of the Dome Fire
The National Park Service said on Monday that the Dome Fire was 15 per cent contained. The blaze was first reported on 15 September near Chilnualna Falls in the Wawona area of Yosemite. It has since prompted trail and backcountry closures, though Yosemite National Park itself remains open to visitors.
Broader Context of Aviation Incidents
This tragedy comes weeks after a separate aviation disaster in the United States, when five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon cargo plane — a Boeing 767-300 — overran a runway and crashed at Miami International Airport in Florida. The aircraft had departed from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. More than 60 units and approximately 200 firefighters responded to that scene, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
The Yosemite helicopter crash underscores the grave occupational hazards faced by aerial firefighting crews, who operate in unpredictable terrain and shifting wind conditions during fire suppression missions. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB are expected to shed light on the precise sequence of events.
Point of View
And the Yosemite crash is a reminder that the human cost of wildfire suppression is borne not only on the ground. Water bucket operations in rugged mountain terrain carry compounded risk — wind shear, smoke-reduced visibility, and the physical stress of repeated low-altitude runs. With wildfires growing in frequency and scale across the American West, the demand for contracted aerial assets is rising faster than institutional safety oversight can keep pace. The FAA-NTSB dual investigation is routine, but the outcome could prompt a review of contracted helicopter safety standards that critics say lag behind military and commercial aviation benchmarks.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the helicopter crash at the Dome Fire in Yosemite?
The exact cause has not yet been determined. The helicopter was performing a water bucket operation and actively dropping water on the Dome Fire when it crashed southeast of Lake Ostrander in Yosemite's Mariposa County on Sunday. The FAA and NTSB have both opened formal investigations.
Who were the pilots killed in the Yosemite helicopter crash?
One of the pilots has been identified as Greg King, described by the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection as a 'dedicated aviator and a dear friend.' The identity of the second pilot is being withheld until next-of-kin notifications are completed.
How contained is the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park?
As of Monday, the National Park Service reported the Dome Fire at 15 per cent contained. The fire was first reported on 15 September near Chilnualna Falls in the Wawona area and has triggered trail and backcountry closures, though the park remains open.
Which agencies are investigating the helicopter crash?
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting investigations. No preliminary findings have been publicly released.
Is Yosemite National Park open despite the Dome Fire?
Yes, Yosemite National Park remains open to visitors. However, some trails and backcountry areas have been closed due to the ongoing firefighting operations linked to the Dome Fire.
