2026 Wildfire Season: Blackhawk Helicopter Airlifted After Hard Landing

This September 3rd video is from https://www.youtube.com/@9news.

Here is a direct link to this video,

An unfortunate aspect to aviation and aerial wildland firefighting are hard landings. I came across this video today and was interested to see this video of Blackhawk being airlifted from the site of the hard landing. I am sure that this happens all the time after a hard landing, but I rarely get to see a video of such an airlift. As I understand no one onboard the Blackhawk was injured. There were reports of a fuel leakage and residents in the area of this hard landing are understandable concerned.

2024 Wildfire Season: All Survived Helicopter Accident

 I do know that there are survivable aviation accidents, including those affecting the wildland firefighting community. However,  I am rarely in the position to have information to share with you on an aviation accident where all on board survived. Today I do, thanks to Bureau of Land Management Fire that I will share with you at the end of this post.  My understanding is that a Bell 407 helicopter carrying a helitack crew had to use autorotation for an emergency landing after an in-flight emergency. Kudos to the pilot. I am thankful that all onboard survived.

As soon as I saw the post from the Bureau of Land Management Fire, I knew that I had to share this with you. It is so special to be able to share about an accident where all survived. Perhaps some of the survivors are experiencing some psychological effects from surviving the accident, in my opinion that would be understandable.

RIP Bob Finer, CAL FIRE S-2T pilot

When I went to wildland fire this morning I saw the very sad news that Bob Finer, a CAL FIRE S-2T pilot died in an airplane crash on November 17. He had finished flying for CAL FIRE for the season and was flying for another company when the accident occurred. He was on the board of the CAL FIRE Pilots Association.

The wildland fire hotlist thread may be found here and includes information on the location of the services in Boise Idaho this Thursday, Dec. 2. His obit may be found here. A brief bio from the CAL FIRE Pilots Association may be found here.

I did not personally know Bob. But I have come to know tanker pilots, in a way, through writing about fire fighting tankers and helos for the last two years. I am saddened by his death.

My condolences and prayers go out to Bob's family, friends, and his CAL FIRE colleagues. Bob, may you always fly in favorable tail winds.

More on fire-truck - passenger vehicle crash in LA

More information, including another video report, on the accident involving a fire truck carrying inmate firefighters and a passenger vehicle may be found here. The driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. Also dead is Fernando Sanchez, a 25-year old inmate firefighter, go here for more information.

Very sad. My condolences.

Fire Truck - passenger vehicle accident outside of LA

News of this tragic accident came across my desk late last night. My condolences to all those who lost their life, their family, friends and colleagues. I understand that there are some critical injuries as well, so I offer up my prayers as well.

I'll return to my regularly scheduled post (yet to be written) later today or tomorrow.