Official statement from the U.S. Forest Service or related investigative body

US Forest Service Pilot Survives Idaho Wildfire Helicopter Crash

Jul 13, 2024, 06:26 PM

A U.S. Forest Service pilot survived a helicopter crash near a wildfire in Stanley, Idaho. The pilot managed to hike to safety after the crash, which marks the third wildfire aviation crash in the U.S. in under a month. The crash occurred during a training flight for autorotation, a maneuver where the helicopter's main rotor is driven by aerodynamic forces without engine power. Angela Hawkins, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, confirmed the pilot's survival and stated that an investigation is underway.