Cottonwood Creek Fire Airtanker Accident Fatality 2001

On July 10, 2001, about 1114 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R-1200 (Thrush), N4947X, was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire after colliding with terrain approximately 20 miles southwest of Cottonwood, Idaho. The pilot, Douglas Gilbert, was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was fatally injured. The flight originated from Craigmont, Idaho, approximately 35 minutes prior to the accident. The airplane, loaded with approximately 450 gallons of fire retardant, departed Craigmont, Idaho, at 1040. The pilot reported to fire crews on the ground that he was going to fly down the east flank of the fire, through the smoke, and drop the retardant. A witness on the ground stated the airplane approached from the southwest, near the top of the canyon. He reported that initially he didn't see the airplane, but could only hear it flying down the east flank of the fire. Shortly thereafter, he reported seeing "…a big ball of fire several hundred feet below me, and thought he [the pilot] must have hit something."