Forest Service confirms firefighters swam to extract pilots from helicopter that crashed into river

N388RZ Boeing CH-47D crash
N388RA Boeing CH-47D preparing to take off at Penticton Airport in British Columbia July 16, 2022. Image from VMC Aviation Videos. The helicopter crashed into the Salmon River July 21, 2022.

Today the US Forest Service confirmed reports that when the Boeing CH-47D helicopter crashed into the Salmon River July 21, 2022 while working on the Moose Fire in Idaho, firefighters swam across the river to extract and care for the two pilots. Unfortunately, both of the pilots died from their injuries.

Four teams from the FS are investigating the incident. In addition, the agency is providing Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), clinician, and peer support to affected individuals. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The official “72-Hour Report” is below.

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2 thoughts on “Forest Service confirms firefighters swam to extract pilots from helicopter that crashed into river”

  1. Out of all the things you could have said to honor the bravery and respect the loss, you went with this instead?? What happened here was not to give you an opportunity to complain about who got some award or why. You have lots of other places on the internet to go for that.

  2. What a sad situation BUT, if Rush Limbaugh got a Presidential Medal of Freedom, than these shots that valiantly swam the raging Salmon deserve that and more! Talk about selflessly putting yourselves in danger to help your bros!!!!

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