Lora Trout. USFS photo.A former wildland firefighter with experience on helitack and fire crews was killed in the crash of a helicopter in a Dallas suburb Friday.
After six years on the Teton Interagency Helitack crew in Jackson, Wyoming, Lora Trout left to fulfill her dream of flying helicopters full-time and return to fight fire as a pilot. Prior to her work in helitack she worked as a wildland firefighter on the White River National Forest in Colorado and the Boise National Forest in Idaho. She also worked as a helitack squad boss on the Tonto National Forest in Arizona.
Lora Trout. Photo via USFS.She became licensed as a helicopter pilot and got a job as a tour pilot, then achieved the next step, becoming certified as flight instructor.
Investigator with tail rotor from the March 25 helicopter crash. ABC 8 image.Lora was giving a lesson to Ty Wallis Friday when the tail boom separated from the Robinson R44, (N514CD), causing the helicopter to crash and catch fire in a vacant lot in Rowlett, Texas. Both were killed.
“Lora was a dear friend, dedicated coworker, physical fitness leader, and an immediate positive influence to all she knew,” said a statement from the Bridger-Teton National Forest. “Her charismatic wit and strength were evident in all she did, particularly in her passion for aviation and wildland firefighting. To those that knew her, she was a “go to” for advice, help, and humor.”
In a series of Tweets, Elan Head, a helicopter pilot and contributor to Vertical Magazine, said Lora was qualified as a Helicopter Manager, Short Haul, and was an EMT. Ms. Head described Lora as a friend and a “bad ass.” Check out the Twitter thread below (or see it on Twitter).
🧵: I’d like to tell you about Lora Trout, the pilot who died in the helicopter crash in Texas on Friday. She was a friend of mine and beloved by some of the best people I know. pic.twitter.com/6SVuO6xQyT
— Elan Head (@elanhead) March 29, 2022
In a YouTube video, Juan Browne said the main rotor struck the tail boom, causing the separation of the tail rotor assembly.
It appears that the only photos without Lora showing a big smile are when she has her back turned.
Lora Trout. Photo via USFS.Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of Lora.
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The article was edited at 8:45 a.m. PT March 30, 2022 to correct credits for the photos.
2 Comments
This is terrible, that young lady was remarkable.
For any pilots out there, I’ll post this. Maybe you can glean valuable information from the first video. It appears they lost tail rotor authority and went into a spin before the entire tail boom separated.
https://www.kwtx.com/2022/03/25/2-dead-after-helicopter-crashes-dallas-suburb-bursts-into-flames/
RIP Laura, we’ll take it from here.
My heart and thoughts go out to the family of Lora Trout and her friends , co-workers, and to Lora’s former Wildland Forest Fire Fighters who knew and loved her. My hearts and thoughts are also with the family and friends of Lora’s passenger. It is so very heartbreaking to loose such a loved and shining bright light. RIP Lora. Your friends and firefighter brothers and sisters will take over now.
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