Helicopter pilot helping Alaska firefighters dies in crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A helicopter contracted to support firefighting efforts on an Interior Alaska blaze crashed after takeoff, killing the pilot, officials said Monday. The fatality was the first related to Alaska wildfires in 22 years.

The pilot was identified as Douglas Ritchie, 56, of Wasilla, Alaska State Troopers said.

He was the lone occupant in a 1960 Bell 204B “Huey” helicopter that crashed Sunday night after taking off from an airstrip near the community of Anderson, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) southwest of Fairbanks, officials said.

Initial reports incorrectly said the crash occurred when the helicopter was landing, said Clint Johnson, head of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska division.

“He was in the process of hauling, sling-loading some material out to a fire,” Johnson said. “We understand that he brought the helicopter up to a hover, and that’s when the accident took place."

He said they didn’t have additional details, but three NTSB investigators were en route Monday to the crash site.

The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection said it contracted the helicopter, which was operated by Northern Pioneer Helicopters, to help with the Clear Fire.

Ritchie had worked for Northern Pioneer Helicopters for 12 years and held the title of lead pilot, according to a short biography on the company's webpage.

Helicopters used to support firefighting operations have a cargo hook on the bottom of the aircraft, and a 100-foot (30-meter) longline is attached to carry — or sling load — materials to the fire.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Ritchie was carrying supplies to support firefighting operations that would have been in a net or if he was carrying a water bucket to help douse the fire, said Alaska Division of Forestry spokesperson...