A video that has been circulating on social media shows the fatal accident with a Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter in the USA. The aircraft lost control and crashed into the Salmon River, around 15:30 pm on 21/07, during firefighting operations in the state of Idaho.
The CH-47D Chinook helicopter manufactured in 1989 was operated by the civilian company ROTAK Helicopter Services. Headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, ROTAK took delivery of the Chinook in the same month, having just purchased two helicopters from Columbia Helicopters. Both drivers, Thomas 'Tommy' Hayes (41) and Jared Bird (36), were killed in the accident.
Check out the images.
ACCIDENT: Video footage emerges of a CH-47D Chinook helicopter that crashed into the Salmon River on July 21 while fighting the Moose Fire in Idaho. Both pilots were killed in the accident. https://t.co/j1jmaMmrk8 pic.twitter.com/SdgZbKobcf
- Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 13, 2022
The CH-47 registration N388RA, originally manufactured for the US Army, was being used to fight the Moose wildfire, about 20 miles from Salmon Township, Idaho.
The video shows the helicopter hovering over the river, with the bambi bucket (equipment used by helicopters to pour water on fire) swaying wildly. The aircraft begins to climb to the left of the video. About 15 seconds later, it begins to spin out of control, falling into the river afterwards.
There are unconfirmed reports that a team of wildland firefighters was nearby when the aircraft went down. They would have entered the river and taken the helicopter pilots in an attempt to save them.
“Tommy and Jared represented the best our country has to offer”, said Ely Woods, General Manager of Helicopter Services for ROTAK. “Both were decorated veterans, hard workers and exceptional pilots. We are devastated by this incredible loss.”
The tragic accident is already being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The US Forest Service issued a brief report on 25/07.
“On Thursday, July 21 […] a CH-47D series Chinook helicopter crashed into the Salmon River adjacent to the Indianola Work Center, approximately 11 miles west of North Fork, Idaho, in the Moose Fire. The aircraft suffered serious damage, the pilots were evacuated and transported to hospitals, but both suffered fatal injuries. The NTSB has been notified and will be conducting an investigation into the accident. The Department of Agriculture Forest Service assigned a learning review team.”
The Chinook entered service with the US Army in 1962, but Boeing-Vertol began development of the aircraft in the 1950s, when the US Army announced that it wanted to replace the CH-37 Mojave.
With more than 1200 units produced since then, the CH-47 has established itself as a reference in heavy transport of rotary wings, having participated in a series of conflicts around the world. The aircraft is also heavily used in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.
The Chinook has a pair of Lycoming T55 turboshaft engines, is operated by three to five crew and is capable of carrying 24 tonnes of cargo.
With information from Fire Aviation, FAA, KPAX and Aerial Fire
