Richfield, United States: Two pilots were killed after a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter crashed while conducting firefighting operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire in Utah on August 7, 2026, authorities said. The helicopter, operated by Helicopter Transport Services (HTS) under an exclusive-use contract with the U.S. Forest Service, went down in remote, high-elevation terrain near Richfield in Sevier County at about 10:40 a.m. local time.
The aircraft was a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane, identified as N793HT in aviation records. The helicopter was being used in aerial firefighting operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire, a large wildfire burning in the Fishlake National Forest. Two people, a pilot and another crewmember/pilot were aboard. Both died in the crash. The NTSB said preliminary information indicated the helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances while conducting firefighting operations.
The crash occurred inside the Widemouth 2 Fire perimeter. The impact triggered another fire at the crash site, complicating the emergency response and preventing ground crews from immediately reaching the wreckage. The U.S. Forest Service said ground resources attempted to respond but access was compromised by the newly ignited fire. Incident managers decided not to put additional personnel at risk until the area could be reached safely.
Crews were eventually able to enter the crash area on August 8 following a difficult, high-elevation operation. The remains of the two occupants were recovered and transferred to the Utah medical examiner. Officials subsequently confirmed that both pilots had died. At the time of the initial confirmation, authorities had not publicly released their names.
The victims were later identified as 47-year-old Miles Elliott of Porterville, California, and 64-year-old Christopher V. Andersen of Iowa. Elliott was identified by officials in his hometown, while Andersen was identified by his family, according to subsequent reports. Both men were employees of Helicopter Transport Services and were working the wildfire assignment under the company’s Forest Service contract.
Elliott was a Porterville High School graduate and had been involved in aviation and community activities, including service on the Porterville Municipal Airport Committee and the Porterville Little League board. He also volunteered with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, which introduces young people to aviation. He was survived by his fiancée, Briana Groves, their son, Truxton, his mother and sister.
Porterville officials described Elliott as a pilot, father, entrepreneur, photographer and mentor who had contributed to the local community. Porterville Mayor Greg Meister said Elliott represented the best of the community, while transportation director Russell Isom remembered him as an inventive and generous friend. The city planned municipal tributes in his honor.
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox also paid tribute to the two pilots, saying they had put themselves in harm’s way to protect the state. Cox expressed condolences to their families and the wider wildland firefighting community.
The Widemouth 2 Fire itself began on July 27, reportedly after a lightning strike, south of Kanosh, Utah. By August 8, the fire had burned more than 114,600 acres and was about 24% contained. By August 10, updated figures put the burned area at more than 118,000 acres, with containment at approximately 26%. The crash-generated fire subsequently merged with the existing wildfire.
The circumstances leading to the crash remain unknown. The NTSB is investigating the accident, with the FAA also involved. Investigators have faced difficulties accessing the wreckage because of the continuing wildfire conditions around the site. The NTSB is expected to document the crash scene before the helicopter is recovered, and officials have cautioned against speculation about what caused the accident.
