Two pilots lost their lives when a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane crashed while releasing water on a wildfire in central Utah.
The heavy-lift helicopter went down around 10:40 AM local time on August 7, 2026, while assisting crews fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire near Richfield, Utah. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were two individuals on board the helicopter.
The S-64 was operated by Helicopter Transport Services under a contract with the US Forest Service.
The incident ignited a separate fire near the crash site. The steep terrain and the ongoing wildfire initially hindered emergency crews from accessing the helicopter, forcing responders to retreat from the area immediately after the incident.
Rescue teams reached the crash site the following day and confirmed the deaths of both pilots. Their remains were recovered later that day and sent to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.
One of the pilots was identified on July 10 as Miles Elliott from Porterville, California.
Elliott was a pilot of both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, served on the Porterville Municipal Airport Committee, and volunteered with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, which introduces youth to aviation.
“Miles represented the very best of Porterville,” stated Mayor Greg Meister in a city-released statement. “He was a dedicated father, pilot, entrepreneur, photographer, mentor, and an exceptionally talented individual who utilized his skills to assist others and contribute to the community he cherished.”
The Widemouth 2 Fire was ignited by lightning on July 27 in the Fishlake National Forest and has scorched over 118,000 acres. As of July 10, the fire was only about one-quarter contained.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox honored both pilots after the tragedy.
“They placed themselves in danger to safeguard our state and sacrificed their lives in that endeavor,” Cox remarked. “Utah will always remember their bravery, their service, and their sacrifice.”
The Sikorsky S-64 is a twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter commonly utilized for aerial firefighting. The aircraft can be outfitted with a large tank that enables crews to collect water and perform multiple drops over a fire.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators arrived in Utah on July 8, but wildfire conditions have thus far obstructed their access to the wreckage.
Source: Original article
