NTSB releases preliminary report on Cabazon helicopter crash that killed three firefighters
The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on the helicopter crash that killed three firefighters in Cabazon earlier this month.
CalFire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and contract pilot Tony Sousa were killed when two helicopters collided mid-air while battling a fire in Cabazon on Aug. 6.
According to the NTSB, a Bell 407 helicopter and a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane collided midair. The Bell helicopter was destroyed, which is the aircraft that Bischof, Rodriguez, and Sousa were in.
The Sikorsky sustained minor damage and the pilot and copilot were not injured, according to the NTSB.
The preliminary report shows that the Bell departed the Hemet-Ryan Airport (HMT) in Hemet northeast towards Cabazon. The Sikorsky departed HMT about 3 minutes after the Bell and traveled northeast through mountainous terrain and continued northeast following descending terrain towards Cabazon.
ADS-B data showed both helicopters on a converging flight path, until the time of collision, located about 2 nm west of the Broadway Fire, at an altitude between 2,375 to 2,400 ft mean sea level (msl)
(Courtesy of NTSB)
The report revealed that the wreckage of the Bell came to rest on a steep and rocky hillside about 1050 ft off the last recorded ADS-B data point. A post-crash fire ensued and consumed the fuselage.
The Sikorsky landed nearby without further incident. The right main landing gear tire was damaged, with an approximate 12-inch portion not located.
(Courtesy of NTSB)
You can read the complete preliminary report below.
This is not the final report on the collision. The final report is typically released somewhere between 18 months to 24 months after the initial collision.
“If during the course of our investigation, we discovered any systematic deficiencies. We may issue safety recommendations designed to prevent similar future accidents," said Eleazar Nepomuceno, Aviation Accident Investigator with the NTSB.
According to the NTSB, the wreckage of the Bell was recovered to a secure location for further examination. The damaged right tire and wheel assembly of the Sikorsky was retained for further examination.
