Crash firefighting Bell UH-1D

On 19 August 2020, Bell UH-1D N711GH (msn 5071, ex US Army 65-10072) of Guardian Helicopters crashed near Coalinga (CA). Unfortunately, the pilot was killed.

The Iroquois was on a firefighting mission when it crashed around 10:00 hrs LT in the morning, just nine miles south of Coalinga. The helicopter was contracted by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to support fighting the many wildfires currently blazing in the state.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown. The accident will be investigated by the NTSB.