Crew To Blame For Deadly Helicopter Crash Over Cabazon, Feds Determine

CABAZON, CA — Federal investigators have found that it was the Sikorsky Skycrane crew's error that caused a midair collision that killed three firefighters battling a brush fire near Cabazon in August 2023.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its final report on Thursday, which said the Skycrane crew entered restricted airspace at an altitude higher than cleared before making an "aggressive" descent that led to a crash with a Bell 407 helicopter flying below.

The impact triggered a "catastrophic" explosion and separation of the Bell 407's tail boom, main rotor blade, mast and transition before the aircraft crashed and killed all three firefighters on board.

Meanwhile, the Skycrane was able to land safely with no onboard injuries.

Cal Fire identified the Bell 407 crew as Assistant Chief Joshua Bischof, 46, Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez , 44 and pilot Tony Sousa.

Wrongful death lawsuits have been filed on behalf of the three firefighters in the Superior Court of Riverside County.

“We appreciate the NTSB’s [thorough] investigation and findings of accountability for this completely avoidable mid-air collision. These men were on a heroic mission to save lives, and their loss was tragic not only for their families but also for their communities,” said Gary C. Robb, an aviation attorney representing the Bischof and Rodriguez families.

Robb, who previously represented Vanessa Bryant in the civil case over the 2020 helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, noted he has also handled litigation in other firefighting helicopter fatalities.

The NTSB report referenced Cal Fire rules requiring inbound aircraft to remain outside a seven-mile “NOCOM” coordination ring until receiving amended clearance. Investigators said the Skycrane crew failed to follow that protocol, did not report altitude restrictions they could not meet, and gave no notice of their rapid descent into congested airspace.

The crash happened on the evening of Aug. 8 near Pipeline Road and Apache Trail in Cabazon, according to Riverside County Sheriff's officials.

"We have lost three great individuals," Cal Fire Southern Region Chief Dave Fulcher told reporters during an emotional briefing the next morning.

The Bell 407 and Sikorsky S-64E collided while conducting operations connected with the "Broadway Fire," which scorched about 20 acres in the area of Broadway Street and Esperanza Avenue.

The Skycrane, which was dispatched to the area two months before the fire for the duration of Southern California's Wildfire Season, was making drops over the blaze before the incident occurred. It had been occupied by two people.

"This terrible tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our courageous firefighters face daily while working to keep our communities safe," Gov. Gavin Newsom said just after the crash. "We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude and will always honor their bravery and sacrifices."

READ MORE:

• 3 Victims Of Helicopter Crash Identified, Officials Send Condolences
• Fatal Firefighting Helicopter Crash Under Investigation: NTSB