Updated at 11:02 a.m. MDT June 16, 2021
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation said in a tweet that has been deleted the helicopter that crashed Tuesday had a “hard landing”. It was en route to the helibase on the Deep Creek Fire southeast of Helena.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said it happened right in front of a trooper from the Highway Patrol, Amanda Villa, who helped extricate the people on board.
The most current reports indicate there were five people on board.
8:06 p.m. MDT June 15, 2021
NBC Montana is reporting that a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation helicopter crashed Tuesday while working on the Deep Creek Fire southeast of Helena.
There were injuries among the five people on board, reportedly minor, and were being treated.
Broadwater Reporter has video of what they say is the burning wreckage. They reported that the crew evacuated safely.
The Governor mentioned the crash in a tweet.
I’m monitoring the situation involving a DNRC helicopter on the Deep Creek Fire. I’m relieved to hear that all involved are getting the necessary medical attention.
Please join me for praying for them and our first responders across the state.
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) June 16, 2021
The incident occurred on North Fork Road at the intersection of Highway 12.
The Deep Creek Fire is 40 air miles southeast of Helena, burning vigorously east of Townsend on both sides of US 12.
We will update this article as more information becomes available.
#DeepCreekFire update: We are in unified command with Montana DNRC and a Type 1 team has been ordered. Highway 12 is closed east of Townsend. Please avoid the Deep Creek Canyon area. pic.twitter.com/AQ0OHcw9kg
— Helena-Lewis&ClarkNF (@LewisandClarkNF) June 15, 2021
The Montana DNRC operates a fleet of five UH-1H (Huey) helicopters that are on loan from the U.S. Forest Service under the Federal Excess Personal Property program. Three are located in Helena, Missoula and Kalispell to provide direct protection initial attack. The other two are in Helena for state-wide deployment on an as needed basis. They also have access to two light Bell 206 B-III type 3 helicopters stationed in Helena. One is owned by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DNRC maintains this aircraft and provides pilot services to DEQ. In return, DNRC reserves the right to use it for fire missions. The second light helicopter is used as a backup aircraft or for additional coverage.
Oh wow they pulled it, probably something to do with official investigations not being completed. The essence was that he came in with too much tail wind and didn’t check the wind at the LZ well enough, sank, (settling with power) and hit hard, started spinning and rolled.
Bill check out Safecomm 21-0373
I tried, and got this on the screen:
“403 ACCESS DENIED
You do not have the proper permissions to access SAFECOM #21-0373”
https://www.safecom.gov/safecom/21-0373
Just go to the main page, then search that one specifically, it’s not a private website
I did search. It does not show up.
Trooper Amanda Villa is my HERO! Good work having the situational awareness and nerves of steel to take action to assist, and impart a significantly more positive outcome than what could have occurred had she chosen differently. You are my HERO Amanda!
DNRC87m assisted us in catching many heads of fire. The ride I took in it few years back is marked as highlight of my fire fighting career, so far. Sure hope the crew is ok and on the mend. Not good, down a rotorwing this season.
Many Thanks to the trooper who helped get them out ! Very happy all will recover and the copter can be replaced.
This is absolutely terrible news! My heart goes out to the crew and their families. May God bless each of you impacted and all of my Helitack Brothers & Sisters out there!
glad all lived and thanks for the work & your service. insurance will cover it – not a problem. heal up soon & see u on the next one