Helicopter Crashes While Conducting Wildfire Bucket Work Near Cape Town. Rotors Strike Cliffside While On The Drop.
Also, Air Ops threatened in Texas today due to private drone incursion.
In what is nothing short of miraculous, the pilot survived.
Yesterday, during the 2nd day of wildfire aviation operations near Cape Town, South Africa, a Bell helicopter conducting bucket work crashed while operating near a cliffside. The helicopter was making its approach to the drop site when the rotors clipped the cliff, causing it to crash and flip upside down.
The ship landed directly on top of the fire it was dropping on, wedging itself in the rugged terrain. Locals on the fire said if the helicopter had not been lodged in the rocks upon crashing, it could have dropped and rolled off a steep cliff below the drop site.
Wildland firefighters from the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) were able to help the pilot escape after he exited the cockpit. The pilot was said to have been able to get himself off the mountain under his own power and was assessed by an ambulance that was waiting on the road.
Initial injuries included some major cuts and bruises, and the pilot was then transferred to a local hospital for further evaluation.
That’s one incredibly lucky and tough SOB. The fact that the fuel tanks didn't leak and ignite is incredible. The suspected cause of the fire was reported as local kids intentionally starting it.
In other aviation safety news, air operations were threatened today on the 450 acre Bell Fire in Dickens County, Texas, after a private drone entered the restricted airspace.
There were tankers actively flying the fire and dropping retardant when the civilian flew their private drone over the incident. Texas wildfire managers issued a statement saying the incursion occurred today and that air operations could be shut down due to the drone.
There is no indication that the individual flying the drone was apprehended.
Private drones being flown over wildfires have become increasingly dangerous and widespread, with a massive uptick last year. There were also two documented drone strikes last year that struck wildfire aircraft while operating. One in California and one in Canada. I covered all these drone incursion stats from 2025 in a previous episode.
Individuals who launch private drones over wildfires, in restricted airspace, while aviation is flying, should receive the harshest of penalties. As I have talked about on the show multiple times, legislation to allow kinetic action against private drones over wildfires is working its way through Congress.
These actions could include physically shooting the drones down with firearms, net guns, specialized drone guns, and portable radar towers meant to jam and disrupt their flight paths.
Meanwhile, years ago, Montana passed a law saying that authorities should just shoot them down.
This is a legit close call, and the public needs to realize that these actions could kill pilots and firefighters on the ground. It’s getting out of control. One fire in Utah last year had 9+ drone incursions in just a few days.
Shoutout to the tough-as-nails pilot in Cape Town, glad you were able to survive that gnarly crash.
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It’s been a busy news week good work 👍