Hemlock Fire Helicopter Accident Fatality 1997

The pilot was conducting water dropping operations as part of an ongoing firefighting effort on the Hemlock Fire, San Bernardino National Forest, in a Bell 206L-1 helicopter. A firefighter reported that the helicopter made two water drops before the accident. A battalion fire chief, who was directing the effort, reported that he saw the helicopter making water drops on a slope. After a water drop which involved an abrupt pull up and turn after the water was released from the bucket, he reported hearing the words 'May Day,' 'I have a flame out' and finally 'I'm going down'. Several other people who were monitoring the common frequency also reported hearing a transmission with the phrase 'flame out.' The pilot, Dean Hiser, Sr., was killed in the accident. The helicopter impacted the bottom of the canyon. According to historical records, there have been a series of engine flameout related accidents and incidents related to this engine make and model.