Butterfield Ranch Fire Midair Collision Fatalities 1995

On June 21, 1995, at 1108 hours Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas C54G (an aircraft derived from the DC-4) and a Beech B58P collided about 1 mile east of Ramona Airport, Ramona, California. Both airplanes were engaged in aerial fire suppression activities; The C54G was operating as Tanker 19, and the B58P was operating as Lead 56. Both airplanes were destroyed by impact forces and the resulting postimpact fire. Two residences, a water tank, and two vehicles were also destroyed. The two flight crewmembers aboard Tanker 19 and the certificated airline transport pilot aboard Lead 56 sustained fatal injuries. Lead 56 departed Ontario Airport, Ontario, California, at 0800 hours; Tanker 19 departed Hemet-Ryan Airport, Hemet, California, at 1022 hours.

Those lost in the midair collision at Ramona were: Gary Cockrell, Lisa Netsch, and Michael Smith