Two Pilots Die in Helicopter Crash While Fighting Yosemite Fire

WHO:

Fox News - The deceased pilots were identified as Ryan Cutter and Greg King.

Fox News - Ryan Cutter had been a helicopter pilot since 2011 and worked for Precision Helicopters for a year and a half.

Fox News - Greg King had previously worked on wildland fires in Alaska and had close ties to the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

NY Post - One of the pilots is considered an aviation "legend."

WHAT:

Fox News - Two pilots were killed when a firefighting helicopter crashed while battling a wildfire in Yosemite National Park.

Fox News - The helicopter was conducting water bucket drops on the Dome Fire when it crashed.

Fox News - The Dome Fire had burned roughly 4.7 square miles and was about 15% contained.

Fox News - About 580 personnel were involved in battling the wildfire.

Fox News - The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

WHERE:

Fox News - The crash occurred near a lake in Yosemite National Park, southeast of Ostrander Lake, about seven miles northeast of Wawona, and roughly nine miles south of Yosemite's El Capitan.

WHEN:

Fox News - The helicopter crash occurred on a Sunday during firefighting operations.

Fox News - The Dome Fire started on September 15, 2026.

Fox News - A procession carrying the deceased pilots was seen traveling through Merced on September 21, 2026.

WHY:

Fox News - The helicopter was engaged in firefighting efforts to suppress the Dome Fire.

HOW:

Fox News - The helicopter was using a water bucket to help suppress the Dome Fire when it crashed.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 20:59 UTC)

Tragically, two pilots, Ryan Cutter and Greg King, lost their lives when their firefighting helicopter crashed while battling the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park. The helicopter was conducting water bucket drops on the blaze, which has burned approximately 4.7 square miles and is currently about 15% contained, with around 580 personnel involved in the firefighting efforts. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash, which occurred near a lake southeast of Ostrander Lake, about seven miles northeast of Wawona.