Updated 3:54 p.m. MDT July 22, 2022
Both pilots of a firefighting helicopter that crashed in Idaho have died, the U.S. Forest Service said on Friday.
Mary Cernicek with the Salmon-Challis National Forest said Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jared Bird, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska, died from injuries they sustained when their CH-47D Series Chinook crashed in the Salmon River about 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
The pilots were employees of the Anchorage-based ROTAK Helicopter Services and were working on the Moose Fire northwest of Salmon, Idaho.
We send out our sincere condolences to the families, friends, and co-workers of the two men.
12:05 a.m. MDT July 22, 2022
A CH-47D Chinook helicopter operated by ROTAK Helicopter Services crashed into the Salmon River Thursday July 21 while working on the Moose Fire northwest of Salmon, Idaho.
The company released a brief statement Thursday.
It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that on July 21, 2022, at approximately 3:30 p.m. a CH-47D series “Chinook” helicopter operated by ROTAK Helicopter Service with two pilots on board was involved in an accident near Salmon, Idaho. Emergency medical teams are responding to the scene. ROTAK is working closely with all appropriate agencies and will issue a full statement as information is confirmed.
A spokeswoman with the U.S. Forest Service said an incident management team is handling the crash but further details were not released, including the condition of the pilots.
A few weeks ago ROTAK purchased two former US Army CH-47D Chinooks from Oregon’s Columbia Helicopters for use in firefighting and line maintenance. ROTAK also operates K-MAX helicopters
The Moose Fire has burned more than 20,000 acres in the Salmon-Challis National Forest 12 air miles northwest of Salmon, Idaho. It is burning in steep terrain on both sides of the Salmon River west of North Fork and Highway 93.
Moose Fire map, 3-D, looking east at 9:56 p.m. July 20, 2022.Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom and Gerald.
3 Comments
The CH47 is a Monstrous Machine. As a Former Crane F/E and ten year Mech when Flying I knew every cotter pin/ hyd line / filter/ bearing you name it. A Rotary Wing depends on every single part at all times. My Thoughts are that Every Helo Crew-member is a Brother or Sister to Me.
Multiple news outlets reporting that this crash was a double fatality. Sad. I feel for the families of the pilots.
I am saddened to hear of the pilots losing their lives. We just got off the Main Salmon river, and these pilots were fighting the fire that kept the access road open (road 30). At the little burg of North Fork, we could see the fire coming over the ridge on its march to the river by the North Fork Store, which was evacuated. We had to detour our route to get to the launch, 50 miles downstream at Corn Creek, due the fire and the crash of the helicopter with the pilots on board. As we detoured, we got the information that one pilot had survived, but barely, and it was touch and go.
Our hearts go out to these men and their families and we sincerely thank them for their service.
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