Northern California Service Center Aircraft Accident Fatalities 1981

On May 11th, an aircraft accident occurred at the Northern California Service Center. Just after take-off for a routine flight to Chico to inspect an air tanker, a USFS Beechcraft Baron crashed into the NCSC para-cargo loft killing all four onboard: Larry Pettibone, pilot and North Zone Aviation Unit (NZAU) manager; George Mendel, Shasta-Trinity Fire Management Officer; Roscoe Bertolucci, NZAU air safety officer; and Joe Hohl, NZAU avionics technician. The resulting fire destroyed the building and its contents including all smokejumper gear and equipment.