# Utah Pilot Dies in Yosemite Helicopter Crash Battling Dome Fire

> Contract helicopter pilot Ryan Cutter, a resident of Summit Park, Utah, died on September 20, 2026, when his aircraft crashed during efforts to contain the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park, one of two pilots killed in the incident.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-22T18:50:39.908896Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/utah-pilot-dies-in-yosemite-helicopter-crash-battling-dome-fire-973fb312

Contract helicopter pilot Ryan Cutter, a resident of Summit Park, Utah, died on September 20, 2026, when his aircraft crashed during efforts to contain the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park, one of two pilots killed in the incident [1][17][19]. The fatal crash occurred while Cutter and co-pilot Greg King were conducting water drops on the wildfire, which was ultimately caused by an abandoned campfire [3][19].

The deaths of these two pilots highlight the significant dangers faced by those combating wildfires, especially as large fires continue to challenge national parks and wilderness areas. The incident also draws attention to the human element in wildfire ignition, as an unattended campfire led to the blaze [3][19].

## What the records show

Ryan Cutter, identified as a resident of Summit Park, Utah, was one of two pilots killed when their AS332 Super Puma helicopter crashed on September 20, 2026, near Ostrander Lake [14][17][19]. Both Cutter and the other pilot, Greg King, were employed by the contract aircraft company Precision, LLC, and were conducting water drops to suppress the Dome Fire [14][15][19]. The helicopter went down shortly before 2 p.m. on a Sunday [14][15]. Federal authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are investigating the crash, but no final cause has been released [8][19]. The Dome Fire, which the pilots were fighting, was caused by an abandoned campfire, according to CAL FIRE [3][19]. Fire restrictions were in effect below 8,000 feet in Yosemite National Park at the time the fire started [19].

## The timeline

The Dome Fire was first reported on September 15, 2026, around 7 a.m. near the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park, about a quarter-mile north of Chilnualna Falls [3][8][10][19]. On September 20, 2026, Cutter and King died when their helicopter crashed while battling the blaze [1][19]. By September 25, the fire had grown to 4,258 acres with 17% containment [4]. Authorities confirmed on September 30 that the fire was sparked by an abandoned campfire [3]. The fire reached 100% containment on October 17, after burning 6,788 acres [10][13][19]. The total cost to fight and contain the Dome Fire was $55 million [10].

## What changed and for whom

The deaths of Ryan Cutter and Greg King brought increased attention to the dangers of aerial firefighting operations [1][6]. The National Park Service led the incident response for the Dome Fire, which required extensive resources, deploying more than 1,000 personnel and 17 helicopters at the peak of operations [10][13][19]. While Yosemite National Park remained open during the incident, certain areas like Glacier Point Road and various trails were closed temporarily for safety and firefighting operations [4][19]. These areas gradually reopened as the fire was contained [19]. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of human-caused fires, with two lives lost and extensive resources expended due to a single abandoned campfire [3][19].

## What the subject has said publicly

Precision, LLC, the aviation company employing both pilots, issued a statement following the crash, saying, "We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words" [6]. The company later stated in a social media post, "These two men brought honor to the mission. Their dedication and service will never be forgotten" [14][15]. A company representative also noted, "These two men deserve every single one of them, as do their families and friends" [16]. The State of Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection also released a statement regarding Greg King, highlighting his service in Alaska [18]. For Ryan Cutter, a procession involving fire district ladder engines and community members escorted his remains back to his Summit Park home, with a local official stating, "We want(ed) them to know that they aren't making that final trip home alone" [17].

## What we could not confirm

The final cause of the helicopter crash that killed Ryan Cutter has not been released [8][19]. Details regarding Ryan Cutter's specific experience and background as a pilot beyond his employment with Precision are also not available in the provided records [14][15][16][17].

## Evidence cited
1. Let Yosemite Burn (www.theatlantic.com) — https://www.theatlantic.com/science/2026/10/yosemite-fires/689069/
2. New UC Berkeley-led research indicates that continued climate change could severely increase wildfire above natural levels in Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Lassen Volcanic National Parks. (preventionweb.net) — https://preventionweb.net/
3. Abandoned campfire sparked Yosemite blaze that killed 2 helicopter pilots - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) — https://latimes.com/
4. Dome Fire Update, September 25, 2026 - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) — https://nps.gov/
5. Let It Burn: The Forest Service Wants to Stop Putting Out Some Fires (kqed.org) — https://kqed.org/
6. 2 helicopter crew members killed battling Yosemite wildfire | CNN (cnn.com) — https://cnn.com/
7. 2 pilots killed in helicopter crash battling Dome Fire at Yosemite National Park (wthr.com) — https://wthr.com/
8. Helicopter battling Dome Fire crashes in Yosemite National Park leaving 2 dead (sfgate.com) — https://sfgate.com/
9. 2 pilots dead after helicopter crashes while fighting wildfire in Yosemite National Park (clickorlando.com) — https://clickorlando.com/
10. Dome Fire (2026) - Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) — https://wikipedia.org/
11. Wildfire Map Spotlight: Dome Fire, Yosemite National Park, California | IQAir (iqair.com) — https://iqair.com/
12. Yosemite National Park Dome Fire Thursday Morning, October 1, Update: 5,777 Acres with 40% Containment; Glacier Point Road is Closed, Yosemite National Park is Open and Operating Normally, An Abandoned Campfire Caused This Fire. (goldrushcam.com) — https://goldrushcam.com/
13. Dome Fire 100% Contained (sierranewsonline.com) — https://sierranewsonline.com/
14. 2 pilots killed in Yosemite helicopter crash identified (firstcoastnews.com) — https://firstcoastnews.com/
15. Pilots killed in Yosemite helicopter crash identified (mynorthwest.com) — https://mynorthwest.com/
16. Pilots killed in Yosemite helicopter crash identified (wildfiretoday.com) — https://wildfiretoday.com/
17. On Tuesday afternoon, Nina Pacchia and her husband, Ryan Cutter, a helicopter pilot who died fighting the Dome Fire outside of Yosemite National Park, were finally reunited. (parkrecord.com) — https://parkrecord.com/
18. 2 Pilots Killed in Yosemite Helicopter Crash Identified (firehouse.com) — https://firehouse.com/
19. Yosemite Dome Fire fully contained; park updates on closures, conditions (travelerstoday.com) — https://travelerstoday.com/
20. Forest Service and Department of the Interior Announce New Protections for Wildland Firefighters During the 2026 Fire Year (theoutdoorwire.com) — https://theoutdoorwire.com/
21. Padilla, Schiff, Bennet, Hickenlooper, Wyden Raise Concerns About Federal Preparedness for Wildfire Season | Senator Alex Padilla (senate.gov) — https://www.senate.gov/newsroom/press_releases/09_11_2026_Press-Release_Wildfire-Season-Readiness-091126.htm
22. Neighbors are invited to line Aspen, Maple and Crestview drives Tuesday afternoon as a procession brings the Summit Park pilot, who died fighting the Dome Fire in Yosemite, home. (townlift.com) — https://townlift.com/
23. Instagram post about Ryan Cutter's homecoming (instagram.com) — https://instagram.com/
24. Firefighters, community honor fallen pilot Ryan Cutter during procession home (ksl.com) — https://ksl.com/
25. Fallen Park City pilot Ryan Cutter honored in procession home (kpcw.org) — https://kpcw.org/
26. Ryan Cutter Obituary (legacy.com) — https://legacy.com/