Newly wed Kiwi helicopter pilot killed in Yosemite crash fighting wildfires

A veteran New Zealand helicopter pilot has been killed in a crash while fighting wildfires in California’s Yosemite National Park.

Greg King died when his helicopter crashed on Sunday afternoon. He was 56.

The pilot had been sent to California to support firefighting operations on the Dome Fire in Yosemite, alongside another 500 firefighters trying to contain the blaze, the Independent reported.

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection confirmed King, a pilot for Precision Helicopters, had died with a second pilot. The identity of the other person had not been released.

“It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection announces the tragic loss of two pilots,” the agency said.

The agency described King as a “cherished member” of its wildland firefighting family.

“Greg was a dedicated aviator and a dear friend to many of us.”

A veteran New Zealand helicopter pilot has been identified as one of two people killed in a crash while fighting a wildfire in California's Yosemite National Park. Photo / Division of Forestry & Fire Protection

King was originally from New Zealand but had been living in Alaska with his partner. He had been deployed to assist wildfire suppression efforts in California.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the helicopter crashed about 2.55pm while dropping water from a bucket. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, KATV reported.

The Herald understands King’s father has boarded a plane to the United States since being told about his son’s death.

A fellow pilot and friend of King’s told the Herald they are shocked and saddened by the sudden loss, saying King was well liked and respected by many people in and outside of the aviation community.

King was widely regarded as a highly experienced pilot, with a career spanning more than two decades in New Zealand, Alaska and the United States.

King began his career flying around Mt Cook, Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown. Photo / Greg King

According to his LinkedIn profile, King joined Precision Helicopters in 2022, flying utility and firefighting operations. Before that, he spent a decade with Alaska-based Soloy Helicopters, supporting exploration, mining, survey and wildfire missions across the state.

His aviation career began in New Zealand, where he flew in some of the country’s best-known alpine regions.

King worked as a helicopter pilot for The Helicopter Line between 2005 and 2009, operating around Aoraki/Mt Cook, Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown. He also flew for Mt Cook Ski Planes and Air Safaris, conducting scenic and ski flights around the South Island.

King was originally from New Zealand but had been living in Alaska with his partner and was a United States resident. Photo / Division of Forestry & Fire Protection

Outside aviation, he spent years working in ski patrol roles at Mt Hutt and Mt Dobson and completed a season with Colorado’s Copper Mountain Resort.

Precision Helicopters, which operates as Fly-Precision in the United States, also confirmed the loss of two team members.

“It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team,” the company said.

“We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words.”