Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The NTSB is investigating after two California firefighting helicopters collided in midair last evening just before sunset. The aircraft—a 1975 Sikorsky S-64E Air Crane and a 2004 Bell 407—were responding to the Broadway Fire in Cabazon, 17 miles northwest of Palm Springs. The 407 was being operated by Aero Leasing of Medford, Oregon, on behalf of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The three aboard that aircraft died and the wreckage ignited another small brush fire.
Also under contract to Cal Fire and operated by Siller Helicopters of Yuba City, California, the S-64E made a hard landing and all three onboard survived. The accident was reported shortly before 7:20 p.m. local time. Sunset was at 7:42 p.m
“While engaged in the firefight, two helicopters collided,” said Cal Fire southern region chief David Fulcher.&nbsp;He identified the dead as the contract pilot, a Cal Fire division chief, and a Cal Fire captain.
The aircraft took off from Hemet-Ryan Airport within minutes of each other shortly after 6:30 p.m. The last tracking data from FlightAware, at 6:45 p.m., showed both aircraft near Banning Municipal Airport (KBNG), approximately six miles from Cabazon. The 407 was on a heading of 111 degrees, an altitude of 2,375 feet, descending at 94 feet per minute, and at an airspeed of 120 knots. The S-64 was on a heading of 80 degrees, an altitude of 2,500 feet, and descending at 632 feet per minute, at an airspeed of 113 knots. Field elevation at KBNG is 2,222 feet msl. The accident occurred just south of the I-10 freeway near the Morongo Casino Resort, four miles east of Banning.
According to officials, the fire began at 6 p.m. when a structure fire ignited nearby grasslands, quickly grew to 20 acres, and began threatening residences in the area. Cal Fire immediately called for aerial support as part of its strategy to attack fires in their nascent stages.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Three Dead In California Firefighting Helicopter Midair

Air Crane, Bell 407 collide while fighting Broadway Fire

Firefighting helicopters collide in California while fighting Broadway Fire, killing two onboard a Bell 407.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

David Jack Kenny

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Preliminary and final accident reports, August 2025

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: August 2025

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Helicopter routes around KDCA have no mandatory boundaries

NTSB Hearing Addresses Complex D.C. Airspace Flight Ops

Accident helicopter’s transponder was broadcasting

ADS-B Issues Didn’t Hamper ATC in DCA Midair Collision

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Purpose is to find facts and not come to conclusions

NTSB Opens Hearing into KDCA Midair Collision

Amy Wilder

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

In this article

Erickson Air Crane

Bell 407 Series

Bell

More In Accidents

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: August 2025

Preliminary and final accident reports, August 2025

NTSB Hearing Addresses Complex D.C. Airspace Flight Ops

Helicopter routes around KDCA have no mandatory boundaries

ADS-B Issues Didn’t Hamper ATC in DCA Midair Collision

Accident helicopter’s transponder was broadcasting

NTSB Opens Hearing into KDCA Midair Collision

Purpose is to find facts and not come to conclusions

Improper Switch Position Led to 2023 Falcon 10 Overrun

NTSB found crew used training checklist, thrust reversers in stow position

Cabin Attendant Injured after CL300 Autopilot Disengaged

CVR data overwritten before investigators could review it

Bizjet Accident Fatalities Soar in First Half of 2025

18 fatal turbine business aircraft accidents worldwide claimed 81 passengers and crewmembers

Tim Lilley: Fixing What Caused the DCA Midair Collision

The father of one of the pilots who died in the crash wants something positive to come from the tragedy

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN