Fatal AT802 Crash July 25th Seneca, Oregon

Direct link to video from KTVB on YouTube

Early last Friday morning (July 26th) I learned that a SEAT (AT-802) was missing in the vicinity of the Falls Fire near Seneca Oregon. Later that evening I learned that investigators had found the crash site and the pilot, the sole occupant, had died in the crash. I followed this crash over the weekend and saw a post from the BLM in Oregon and Washington saying that James Bailey Maxwell, 74 was flying the SEAT when it crashed on July 25th. I offer my condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and all who loved James. James, may you always fly in favorable winds. I will not forget your sacrifice, may you rest in peace.

Fatal AT802A Scooper Crash July 9 Montana

I am saddened to write of another fatal SEAT crash, an amphibious AT-802 "Scooper" aka Fireboss from Dauntless Air piloted by Juliana Turchetti crashed while working the Horse Gulch Fire in Montana (burned 10,849 acres at 0 percent containment). I offer my prayers on condolences to Juliana's family, her colleagues from Dauntless and all who loved her. May she always fly in favorable winds.

According to the Daily Montanan (July 11th)

 

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton released Turchetti’s identity to the Daily Montanan just after noon on Thursday. The FireBoss pilot died when her plane, a single-engine water-scooping Air Tractor AT-802, hit the mountainside and landed in Hauser Lake, Dutton said in a text message.

Turchetti was employed by Idaho-based Dauntless Air, a company operating firefighting aircraft for more than 25 years who has held state and federal contracts since 2009, according to the company’s website. The company was contracted to fly for the Idaho Department of Lands but was on loan to the U.S. Forest Service, a spokesperson for the Forest Service said.

Dutton said Turchetti was a native of Brazil who was working in the U.S. on a visa. Dutton said Turchetti leaves behind a 17-year-old son and “numerous” family members in Brazil.

 Juliana was also an Ag pilot, one of the first women in Brazil to fly Ag planes. 

Fatal SEAT (Air Tractor 802A) Crash on June 21st in New Mexico

RIP Ronald "Van" Patton. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, colleagues, friends and all who loved you. Edited at 4PM on June 24th to add that thanks to a friend, I saw this post on Facebook from Coastal Air Strike about the fatal SEAT crash. It was not until June 26th that I found out that Kelly Andersson of Fire Aviation made an excellent post on June 24th about the crash, you will want to go and read Kelly's excellent write-up about Ronald "Van" Patton.

Fatal SEAT crash in Colorado (November 16th)

 Fairly early this morning, I read about the fatal crash of Single Engine Air Tanker on Tuesday evening while fighting the Kruger Rock Fire southeast of Estes Park in Colorado. The pilot, the only occupant, was killed. Knowing that Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation would be on top of this, I went to Fire Aviation (November 16th article) for more information. The SEAT, an Air Tractor 802 is owned by CO Fire Aviation and was recently configured for night flying; the SEAT may have been making its first flight at night to fly a fire. You will want to read Bill's article for more information about the SEAT and its night flying capabilities.

I just checked Denver media, Denver7 who apparently just updated their reporting on the crash to reflect that the name of the pilot who died, Thor Olsen. Mr. Olsen was a 32-year pilot who had some 1,000 hours in night flying with night vision goggles. According to Denver7, the Kruger Rock Fire has burned 140 acres. At the time that I write this, Bill Gabbert has not updated Fire Aviation identifying Thor Olsen as the pilot who died in the fatal crash.

I offer my condolences to Mr. Olsen's family, friends, colleagues, and all who loved him. My he and the SEAT always fly in favorable winds.

Seat Crash over Schill Fire in Idaho

Updated September 24th at 9:39 AM

Yesterday afternoon, the Bureau of Land Management Fire and Aviation released the name of the pilot who was killed in the fatal SEAT crash near Emmet Idaho on September 22nd. The pilot is Ricky Fulton. I continue to hold Ricky's family, friends, colleagues and all who loved him in my prayers as they mourn his loss. Ricky, may you always fly in favorable winds. For more information see Bill Gabbert's updated September 23rd Fire Aviation article.

Updated information regarding last night's fatal Single Engine Air Tanker crash on the #SchillFire. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, & collogues of pilot Ricky Fulton. #NeverForgotten https://t.co/cuwNxNth83

— Bureau of Land Management Fire and Aviation (@BLMFire) September 23, 2020

September 23rd, 1:13 PM

It is with great sadness that I must write about another tanker crash, this one a SEAT. A Bureau of Land Management SEAT was working the Schill Fire near Emmett Idaho on Tuesday evening September 22. The pilot did not survive. The pilot's name has not been released pending notification of the family. 

It's with deep sadness that we share the loss of a Single Engine Air Tanker pilot after a crash tonight working on the #SchillFire near Emmett, ID. More info will be released following family notifications. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy. #NeverForgotten pic.twitter.com/A6Wxf67QW5

— Bureau of Land Management Fire and Aviation (@BLMFire) September 23, 2020

Bill Gabbert wrote about the crash in an article posted on September 23rd on Fire Aviation. KTVB7 in Boise Idaho reported on the crash, updated on September 23rd, here.

I offer my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and all who loved the pilot. Please join me in a moment of silence to remember the pilot and their loved ones as they grieve. 

Updated information regarding last night's fatal Single Engine Air Tanker crash on the #SchillFire. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, & collogues of pilot Ricky Fulton.

Update on fatal collision of two SEATs (August 20th) pilots identified

I wrote about the fatal mid-air collision of two single-engine airtankers over the Bishop Fire near Caliente, Nevada on July 31st. The Nevada Office of the Bureau of Land Management updated their press release about the crashes on August 20th to add the names of the two pilots killed in the fatal mid-air collision. They are David Blake Haynes and Scott Thomas.

David and Scott, I offer my prayers for your families, colleagues, friends and all who loved you and are mourning your loss. You were making drops on the fire to help the firefighters on the ground and to save lives. The sacrifice you made while flying the Bishop Fire will not be forgotten. I know that you are flying in favorable winds. Please know that I will always remember your sacrifice and that of your tankers.

Two Single Engine Airtankers in fatal collision over Bishop Fire

On July 30th at 12:55 pm local time, two single-engine airtankers were involved in a mid-air collision while working the Bishop Fire, burning near Caliente, Nevada. Each SEAT had one pilot, neither survived. As of last night, recovery efforts are underway and the names of the two deceased pilots and the company they flew for had not been released. The SEATs were under contract to the U.S. Department of the Interior. For more information, see this July 31st press release from the Nevada office of the Bureau of Land Management. 

My heartfelt prayers go out to the pilot's family, friends, colleagues, and all who love them. In addition, I offer my prayers for all those working the Bishop Fire, and those in the Ely Nevada BLM office.

May the pilots and their SEATs always fly in favorable winds.

Coulson T-134 crash update: January 24th

T-134, a C-130Q from Coulson Aviation crashed on January 22nd in the Snowy Mountains. They were working a bush fire near Snowy Monaro, see my article of January 23rd for more information. 

Coulson Aviation has identified the crew of T-134 that perished in the crash.

Captain Ian H.McBeth, 44, Great Falls MT

Ian is survived by his wife, Bowdie and their three children: Abigail, Calvin and Ella; his parents Willian and Anneliese; and his siblings Rick Fernandez, Eleanor McBeth and Aislinn McBeth.

First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson, 42, Buckeye AZ

Paul is survived by his wife Noreen

Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr., 43, Navarre FL

Rick is survived by his two children Lucas and Logan; his parents Rick Sr. and Linda; and his sister Virginia.

Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation has included the press release from Coulson Aviation in his January 24th post where you may go to learn more about Ian, Paul and Rick.

Ian, Paul and Rick, may you always fly in favorable tail winds along with T-134. I offer my prayers for your families, friends, co-workers at Coulson Aviation, and all who love you.

Coulson T-134 crashed in New South Wales Australia

It is with deep sorrow that I report the crash of a Coulson C-130, T-134, in New South Wales. She was working a bush fire in the Snowy Monaro Area in New South Wales Australia when she crashed on January 22, 2020. The three crew are dead. RIP T-134 and crew. May you always fly in favorable tail winds. My prayers go out to your family, friends, Coulson, and all who loved you.

The crash site is in a remote and rugged area of the Snowy Mountains, it took the emergency response team several hours to access the crash site.

Coulson is sending a team to help with the crash investigation and they have grounded their fleet today to remember the fallen. All large air tanker operations in New South Wales (and perhaps all of Australia) have been grounded as a sign of respect for the fallen.

A friend sent me a link to report of the crash by the media outlet France24, the report is dated January 23rd and may be found here. Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation reports on the crash  in this post.


Direct link to ABC report on T-134

Obtained on January 23, 2020 from Coulson Aviation

In Memory of Tanker 09: not forgotten

In Memory of Tanker 09 and her crew lost on September 1, 2008


direct link to video on youtube

In early April of 2009 I had only been writing this blog on aerial wildland firefighting for less then three months when I learned about the loss of Tanker 9 on September 1, 2008. I think of the crew of Tanker 09 often. When I was reminded earlier today that today is the seventh anniversary of the loss of Tanker 09, I thought it only right to pause and remember the crew of Tanker 9 who died that day at Stead Airbase near Reno, Nevada.

Gene Wahlstrom, 61, Captain of T-09.  He was the chief pilot for Neptune Aviation with over 25 years in the aviation industry.


Greg “Gonzo” Gonsloroski, 41, First Officer of T-09, received his type rating on the P2V in the spring of 2006 and was well on his way to becoming an air tanker Captain.


Zachary VanderGriend, 25, an airframe and powerplant mechanic, was fairly new to Neptune. He got his private pilot’s certificate at the age of 17.


Tanker 09, registration number N4235T, serial number 150282, model number SP-2H, date of manufacture: 1962. Owned and operated by Neptune Aviation, Missoula, Montana.

I won't forget. May you continue to fly in favorable tail winds.

Crash of Conair T-692 (May 22, 2015)

Last Friday, May 22 2015, a Conair AT-802 Fireboss crashed in northern Alberta near the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range not far from the border with Saskatchewan. The SEAT’s pilot (and sole occupant), William Hilts (38 years old, recently from Cranbrook British Columbia) died in the crash. I understand that the SEAT was working a wildfire near Cold Lake last Friday when she went down.

Please join me in offering my condolences, thoughts and prayers to William’s family, friends, colleagues. and all who love him. William, I know that you are flying in favorable tail winds.

For more information:

• Fire Aviation (May 23rd) on crash
• Global News (May23rd) on crash
• Global News (May 25th) pilot identified

RIP Craig Hunt

Rest in Peace Craig Hunt.

There is a nice photo gallery on CAL FIRE's facebook page (should be publicly available) of the October 8th ceremony transferring the body of CAL FIRE pilot Craig Hunt (pilot of T-81, crashed on October 7th near Yosemite National Park). Go here to see the photo gallery from CAL FIRE.

Jim Barnes, a close friend of Craig's, wrote a nice tribute to Craig on the Associate Aerial Firefighters webpage on October 9th, the tribute may be found here.

CAL FIRE ID's pilot

I wrote earlier today about the crash of CAL FIRE Tanker 81. A couple of hours ago, CAL FIRE Department Information Officer Daniel Berlant tweeted that the pilot of of T-81 that crashed on October 7 has been identified as Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, 62 of San Jose, CA.

I offer my heartfelt prayers and condolences to Craig's family, friends, colleagues, and all who love him. Craig, may you always fly in favorable tail winds.

CAL FIRE's memorial page for Geoffrey "Craig" Hunt

Obtained on October 8, 2014 from http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/newsreleases/2014/CALFIRE_AirtankerIdentified_2014_NR.pdf

CAL FIRE S-2T Tanker 81 down

It is with great sadness that I come here today to write that CAL FIRE S-2T tanker 81 crashed near Yosemite late afternoon on October 7 while fighting the Dog Rock Fire. The pilot did not survive. The name of the pilot has not yet been released pending notification of all family members. Prayers and condolences for family, friends, colleagues of the pilot. May you always fly in favorable tail winds. Link to news release from CAL FIRE

Obtained on October 8, 2014 from http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/newsreleases/2014/CALFIRE_AirtankerClaimsLife_2014_NR.pdf

October 8, 2014 at 5:45 PM A couple of hours ago, CAL FIRE Department Information Officer Daniel Berlanttweeted that the pilot of of T-81 that crashed on October 7 has been identified as Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, 62 of San Jose, CA. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Craig's family, friends, colleagues, and those who love him. Craig, may you always fly in favorable tail winds.

I remember fallen firefighters

Today I am pausing to remember all wildland firefighters, on the ground and in the air, who have died in the line of duty. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. You died leaving family, friends, and colleagues who loved you. You died working to keep us safe from wildfires. I remember you and those you left behind -- your family, friends, and colleagues.

Among those wildland firefighters who died the week of July 1 to July 7 since 2000 are:

• Alan Wyatt July 2, 2002, age 51, Missionary Ridge Fire (OR)
• Raymond Peterman age 62, Incident date- July 4, 2003 (heart attack), died on Jan 17, 2004 from complications following triple bypass surgery
• Dennise Leslie on July 2, 2007, Age 37, Coal City Community Volunteer FD, IN
• John Hermo on July 7, 2008, age 33, drowning while assigned to the Hells Half Complex (CA)
• Robert Roland on July 2, 2008, age 63, Oso Fire (CA).
• Caleb Hamm, on July 7, 2011, age 23, CR 337 Fire, TX. 

And those incidents over the last twenty years where multiple wildland firefighters lost their lives this week (June 30 to July 6)

AZ Yarnell Hill 19 on June 30, 2013

• Andrew Ashcraft, age 29
• Robert Caldwell, age 23
• Travis Carter, age 31
• Dustin Deford, age 24
• Christopher MacKenzie, age 30
• Eric Marsh, age 43
• Grant McKee, age 21
• Sean Misner, age 26
• Scott Norris, age 28
• Wade Parker, age 22
• John Percin, age 24
• Anthony Rose, age 23
• Jesse Steed, age 36
• Joe Thurston, age 32
• Travis Turbyfill, age 27
• William Warneke,age 25
• Clayton Whitted, age 28
• Kevin Woyjeck, age 21
• Garret Zuppiger, age 27

SD MAFFS 7 (4 lives lost, 2 survivors) on July 1, 2012. The four who lost their lives are:

• Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal, age 42
• Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, age 36
• Maj. Ryan S. David, age 35
• Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon, age 50

South Canyon / Storm King CO (14 lives lost) on July 6, 1994

• Kathi Julie Beck, age 24
• Tamera "Tami" Jean Bickett, age 25 
• Scott A. Blecha, age 27
• Robert E. Browning Jr., age 28
• Levi Brinkley, age 22  
• Douglas Michael Dunbar, age 22 
• Terri Ann Hagen, age 28 
• Bonnie Jean Holtby, age 21

• Robert Alan Johnson, age 26 
• Jon Roy Kelso, age 27
• Donald K. Mackey, age 34 
• Roger W. Roth, age 31 
• James R. Thrash, age 44
• Richard Tyler, age 33

Note: I referenced Always Remembered in compiling the list of the fallen that I mention here.

Dromader crash in NSW Australia (10/24/13): update

About six days after the fatal crash of a Dromader tanker on Oct. 24, 2013

while on a firebombing run in New South Wales Australia the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (aka CASA) Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation reported that CASA grounded seven Dromaders. A week later, on or about Nov. 6, CASA grounded all Dromaders as a cautionary measure, (see this article on AUNewsYahoo for more information). 

Later in November, CASA came out with directives requiring all Dromaders to pass specific maintenance checks on their wings and new inspections before they are deemed airworthy. On or about Dec. 2, 2013 the Australian Transport Safety Bureau issued its preliminary report of the Dromader crash citing fatigue cracking in a left wing lug. Witnesses reported seeing the left wing separate from the plane just prior to the fatal crash, for more information see this Dec. 2 article on AUNewsYahoo.

I continue to keep the family, friends, colleagues and all who love David Black, the pilot of the Dromader in my thoughts and prayers. May you continue to fly in favorable tail winds.

RIP David Black and Peter Brereton

I was saddened to read about the deaths of two pilots who died in two separate crashes in New South Wales, Australia within a day of each other. Both were flying in support of wildland firefighters fighting the wildland fires in New South Wales.

David Black, owner and chief pilot of Rebel Ag, died on Thursday Oct. 24 when his PZL M18A Dromader aircraft crashed while he was performing aerial wildland firefighting operations on a wildland fire in a remote and rugged section of New South Wales. He leaves a wife, Julie and three children. A press release issued on behalf of Rebel Ag may be found on this webpage of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Peter Brereton, a pilot,  had just retired from a 40-year career with the CFA firefighting agency in Australia. However, when his help was needed to support the wildland firefighters in New South Wales, he was there. He was flying a Cessna 182 on Wednesday morning Oct. 23 after dropping off some spare parts for a helo that was being used in aerial operations on the bush fires in New South Wales. When he failed to return to the airport on Wednesday morning, a search ensued and the wreckage was found Thursday morning in rugged terrain. For more on Peter Brereton, read this article from The Age (out of Victoria AU. Brereton, 60, is survived by his wife, Lyn and five children.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, colleagues and all who love Peter and David. May Peter and David always fly in favorable tail winds.

RIP Tanker 09: I remember

direct link to video

I had only been writing my blog on aerial wildland firefighting for about three months and was reading about Neptune's P2-V tankers in early April of 2009 when I learned about the crash of Neptune's P2-V T-09. Information about the crash was in some material that I had. So, I made my first of many posts about fatal tanker and helo crashes on April 4, 2009 in a post called In Memoriam: Tanker 09. Words escaped me at the time and they still do.

Tanker 09 crashed while working the Smitty Fire on Sept. 1, 2008. Five years ago today. Lost that day, but not forgotten were:

Gene Walhstrom

Greg Gonsioroski

Zachary Vandergriend

I think of you often, especially when I go on one of air experience flights. I pray for your family and friends often. I know that you are flying in favorable tail winds. 

There is a nice page on T-09 on Always Remember

T-11, I will not forget you

I want to pause and remember T-11 and her crew who crashed on June 3, 2012 while working the White Rock Fire near Hamblin Valley Utah. There were no survivors

Pilot: Todd Neal Tompkins
Co-Pilot: Ron Edwin Chambless

I will never forget you. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. I know that you are flying in favorable tail winds.

Edited on October 24, 2017, I had originally shared a CNN video report where T-11 was one of the tankers making a drop. This was meant to be a tribute to T-11 and her crew. Gone but not forgotten. May you continue to flew in favorable tail winds.

I offer my loving intentions to Ron and Todd's family, their colleagues, and all who loved them.

C-130 MAFFS crash -- fatalities identified

obtained from http://www.145aw.ang.af.mil/photos/mediagallery.asp?galleryID=9184 on 3 July, 2012

The 145th Airlift Wing of the North Carolina Air National Guard issued a press release a short time ago with the names of those who died in the July 1 crash of a C-130 MAFFS that was working the White Draw Fire near Edgemont S.D.

The names of the two crew members who remain hospitalized in critical condition are being withheld. My prayers for your recovery continue.

Those who died are:

Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal (pronounced like "Michael"), 42, of Mooresville, N.C.
Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, 36, of Belmont, N.C.
Maj. Ryan S. David (pronounced da-veed), 35, of Boone, N.C.
Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon, 50, of Charlotte, N.C.

May you and your C-130 fly in favorable tail winds in clear skies. My prayers continue for you family, friends, comrades from current and past military outfits, and all who love you.

A brief bio of each of the deceased are in the press release from the 145th Airlift Wing of the No Carolina ANG.

I know that photo above is one of the C-130 MAFFS of the 145th Airlift Wing of the North Carolina Air National Guard. I am not certain if it is the accident C-130.