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Eight Mile Ridge Fire Smokejumper Aircraft Accident Fatalities 1958

  • Location:

    Washington

  • Date:

    06/23/1958

  • Incident Type:

    Fixed Wing Incident

  • Description:

    While on a cargo mission to supply tools and equipment to the Eight Mile Ridge Fire on the Okanogan National Forest, Washington, a smokejumper aircraft crashed in the mountainous terrain north of Winthrop. It was surmised that the aircraft flew into a downdraft from thunderstorms over the fire area, after which the pilot attempted evasive action to escape the downdraft and subsequently lost control. 

    Those lost in the Eight Mile Ridge Fire aircraft accident were: Robert Carlman, Bob Cavanaugh, Keith Hendrickson, and Gerald Helmer.

    Fixed Wing Incident or Accident, Fatality

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