By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the Aug. 7 helicopter crash that killed pilots Miles Elliott and Chris Andersen while they battled the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah.
- The pilots were flying a Sikorsky CH-54A Skycrane Helitanker under contract with the U.S. Forest Service for Helicopter Transport Services.
- The helicopter crashed 23 minutes after takeoff, disappearing behind a knoll during a turn before the crew radioed “we have a problem” and then issued a mayday call.
- The NTSB said the helicopter struck rising terrain; the cause remains under investigation.
- Much of the aircraft was destroyed by fire; some components have been recovered for testing, with the remainder to be collected when conditions allow.
SEVIER COUNTY, Utah — The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on the Aug. 7 helicopter crash that killed two pilots battling the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah, providing new detail on the aircraft’s final moments.
Pilots Miles Elliott and Chris Andersen were flying a Sikorsky CH-54A Skycrane Helitanker equipped with a 2,650-gallon water tank and retractable hover-snorkel system. Both worked for Helicopter Transport Services under contract with the U.S. Forest Service.
According to the NTSB, the helicopter crashed 23 minutes after taking off from Richfield Municipal Airport at 10:21 a.m. After coordinating with an aerial supervisor, the crew filled the helicopter’s water tank and flew to the requested drop location, making an initial pass to confirm the target before telling supervisors they would make another pass before dropping water.
As the helicopter made a right turn, it disappeared behind a knoll. The crew then radioed “we have a problem” before issuing a mayday call, their final communication, the NTSB said.
Investigators said the helicopter struck rising terrain, though the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Much of the aircraft was destroyed by fire; some components have been recovered for testing, and the remainder will be collected once conditions are safe.