2 Pilots Die in Yosemite Firefighting Crash

A firefighting mission over Yosemite National Park ended in tragedy Sunday when a contracted helicopter went down, killing both crew members aboard. The Eurocopter AS32 crashed shortly before 3pm while working the Dome Fire, the US Forest Service and Federal Aviation Administration said. The aircraft and crew were assigned to the Forest Service's Price Valley Rappel Crew in Idaho but had been deployed to California, CNN reports. The aircraft went down while conducting water bucket drops, reports CBS2.

Precision Aerospace, the aviation company under contract, confirmed the deaths of the two pilots, USA Today reports. "It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team," the company said in a statement. "We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words." The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation, with the Forest Service conducting its own review.

As of Monday morning, the Dome Fire had grown to about 3,222 acres from 2,000 on Friday and was 15% contained. The fire ignited last Tuesday near Chilnualna Falls, a popular hiking destination, USA Today reports. With rugged terrain and limited road access, aircraft have been a vital part of the firefighting effort.