Both pilots killed fighting the Dome Fire in Yosemite are named as two men

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026 · last updated 23 September 2026.

Ryan Cutter has been identified as the second pilot killed when an AS332 Super Puma helicopter crashed near Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park on Sunday afternoon. Cutter and Greg King, both contracted to Precision, were conducting water drops on the Dome Fire when the aircraft went down with no other passengers aboard. Their employer posted tributes online, writing: 'These two men brought honour to the mission.' A procession of firefighters and first responders lined the route to a local airport on Monday as both pilots' remains were transported home.

The Dome Fire, which started on 15 September near Wawona, has burned roughly 4.7 square miles and is only 15% contained.

King and Cutter were working with an Idaho-based helitack rappelling crew, specialists who descend by rope to reach terrain too rugged for ground teams.

At least 14 people have now died fighting wildfires across the United States this season, with the FAA and NTSB both investigating the Yosemite crash.