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AWAITING INVESTIGATORUNCONFIRMED2026-09-25

Firefighting helicopter crashes near Yosemite, killing both pilots

Aircraft:
helicopter
Operator:
firefighting
Registration:
not established
Location:
near Yosemite, Australia
Occurrence type:
accident
Severity:
fatal
Investigation authority:
Not yet identified
Last verified:
2026-09-25 14:51Z

Reported, but not yet independently confirmed. Highest source tier held: Open news search. 3 sources attached.

CASE WATCH — SeyAero has prepared a computational workspace for this occurrence from open sources. This is not an investigation and contains no finding. The formal safety investigation is the responsibility of the State authority under ICAO Annex 13.

What is known

A firefighting helicopter crashed near Yosemite, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The incident occurred on September 25, 2026.

What is not yet known

  • · What was the specific make and model of the helicopter?
  • · What was the helicopter's registration?
  • · What was the exact crash location?
  • · What was the nature of the firefighting operation?
  • · What were the weather conditions at the time of the crash?

Evidence likely to be relevant

Flight data

  • · Flight data recorder or QAR supporting
  • · Track data (ADS-B, radar) supporting

Voice

  • · Cockpit voice recorder supporting
  • · ATC recordings and transcript supporting

Environment

  • · Weather observations and forecasts supporting
  • · Drift and current modelling supporting
  • · Acoustic observations supporting

Aircraft

  • · Maintenance and technical logs supporting
  • · Components and exhibits supporting

Human factors

  • · Crew records, duty and training important

External evidence

  • · Photographs, video and imagery critical
  • · Witness and ground reports supporting

Site and recovery

  • · Wreckage distribution and site survey critical

Sources

Source timeline

  • 2026-09-25 13:51Z · Open news search: News search: helicopter crash — Helicopter Crashes in Yosemite National Park While Fighting Wildfire, Killing 2 - Aviation Pros
  • 2026-09-25 13:51Z · Open news search: News search: helicopter crash — Helicopter crashes near Adelaide River - NT News
  • 2026-09-25 13:51Z · Case Watch opened from open-source reporting. Awaiting an investigator.

Investigation workspace

This file is prepared and unclaimed. Claiming it opens a private SeyAero workspace with the evidence plan, the sources and the timeline already in place.

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NEW AVIATION OCCURRENCE

SeyAero has opened a Case Watch for Firefighting helicopter crashes near Yosemite, killing both pilots.
helicopter · firefighting · near Yosemite, Australia
Verification: UNCONFIRMED · Sources: 3
Investigation authority: not yet identified

Evidence plan prepared. Available for investigator claim.

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