LODDS

OR Pilot Killed in Crash while Battling ID Wildfire

Sept. 23, 2020

Ricky Fulton, a contractor for the Bureau of Land Management, was flying a single-engine air tanker that went down Sept. 22 while fighting the Schill Fire near Emmett.

By K. Rambo

Source The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.

Ricky Fulton, a contractor for the Bureau of Land Management, was flying a single-engine air tanker that went down Sept. 22 while fighting the Schill Fire near Emmett.

An Oregon pilot battling blazes died in an air tanker crash near Emmett, Idaho, on Tuesday.

Ricky Fulton of Ontario was piloting a T-857 single-engine air tanker while fighting a fire when the plane crashed Tuesday night. Firefighters rendered aid to Fulton and called for helicopter transport.

Fulton was working as a contractor for the Bureau of Land Management Fire and Aviation at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise at the time.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the pilot lost in this tragic accident,” said Tanya Thrift, acting Boise district manager with the Bureau of Land Management. “This reminds us of the inherent risks involved in wildland firefighting and the gratitude we owe to the courageous and committed men and women who serve willingly to protect lives, property, and natural resources.”

The exact cause of the crash has not been determined. The Department of Interior Office of Aviation Services, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

Fulton was fighting the Schill Fire, which burned 30 acres. It began at approximately 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and was contained within six hours.

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