Sacramento, September 22 (Daily Kiran) : A tragic helicopter crash occurred in California’s Yosemite National Park on September 22, 2026, while the aircraft was assisting in firefighting efforts for the ‘Dome Fire.’ The incident resulted in the deaths of two pilots, as confirmed by the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
According to reports, the crash took place around 2:55 PM local time in Mariposa County. The helicopter was engaged in dropping water on the fire when it went down southeast of Lake Ostrander. Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the incident.
The spokesperson for the California Complex Incident Management Team 3 noted that the helicopter was actively dropping water from a bucket to combat the blaze at the time of the crash. One of the deceased pilots has been identified as Greg King, who was remembered as a dedicated pilot and a close friend to many. The identity of the second pilot has not yet been released, pending notification of their family.
As for the fire itself, the National Park Service reported that firefighters have managed to contain approximately 15% of the ‘Dome Fire,’ which was first reported on September 15 near Chilnualna Falls. Some trails and remote areas have been closed due to the fire, but Yosemite National Park remains open to visitors.
In a related note, earlier this month, a separate aviation incident occurred at Miami International Airport, where an Amazon cargo plane crashed after overrunning the runway, resulting in five fatalities and several injuries. The investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
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