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Guide Fire Helicopter Accident Fatalities 1994

  • Incident Information:

    Attachment Size
    Guide Fire Helicopter Accident NTSB Final Investigation Report.pdf (751.61 KB) 751.61 KB

  • Location:

    New Mexico

  • Date:

    07/12/1994

  • Incident Type:

    Helicopter Incident

  • Description:

    On July 12, 1994, at 1447, Gila Helitack took off to initial attack the Guide Fire in the Black Range, Gila National Forest, near Mimbres, New Mexico. On approach to the helispot at 1505, the helicopter pitched up and subsequently lost altitude, and impacted trees. The pilot and two helitack firefighters were killed, and two other helitack firefighters onboard were injured. It was determined that the helicopter was overweight for the type of landing and pressure altitude at the helispot. 

    Those lost in the Guide Fire helicopter accident were: Robert Boomer, Sean Gutierrez and Sam Smith. 

    Helicopter Incident or Accident, Fatality, Aviation, Initial Attack

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