DATE: 12 Aug 08

On 5 August at approximately 7:45 pm pacific time, a Carson Helicopters Inc. S-61N helicopter crashed while transporting firefighters on the Iron Complex fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, approximately 15 miles northwest of Junction City, California in Trinity County, California.

The Carson S-61N Fire King helicopter had 13 people on board; two Carson pilots, one US Forest Service Inspector pilot, and 10 contract firefighters from Grayback Forestry. The aircraft was lifting off from Helispot #44 on the Buckhorn Fire to transport firefighters back to base when it suddenly descended and impacted the steep hillside adjacent to the heli-spot. The aircraft subsequently caught on fire. Four people were able to escape the wreckage; one Carson pilot and three firefighters. The other nine persons are deceased.

The helicopter was piloted by Roark Schwanenberg of Lostine, Oregon and William Coultas of Cave Junction, Oregon. Both are highly experienced command helicopter pilots with over 25,000 hours of combined flight time. William Coultas escaped the aircraft and is at UC-Davis Medical Center in Davis, California in critical but stable condition with serious burns. Roark Schwanenberg was killed in the accident. Seven employees from Oregon-based Grayback Forestry and the US Forest Service pilot were also killed. All of the deceased have now been removed from the wreckage of the aircraft. At this time, the cause of the accident is unknown. Carson has a team of senior personnel assigned to participate in the investigation of the crash with the NTSB and the US Forest Service. Carson Helicopters is a family owned company and our primary focus at this time is the welfare and care of the families of all the persons involved in this accident and for our employees. This is a severe blow to our company, to southern Oregon, and to the firefighting community. We feel a deep and grievous sense of loss for every person on board our aircraft.

A joint tribute is being planned by Carson Helicopters, Grayback Forestry, and the USFS to honor all of the personnel involved in the accident. It is currently scheduled from 10:00 to 11:30 AM on Friday, 15 August 2008, at the Lithia Amphitheatre at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point, Oregon. The tribute is open for all who wish to attend.

Carson Helicopters, Inc. • 952 Blooming Glen Road • Perkasie, PA 18944 • 800.523.2335
West Coast Office • 828 Brookside Boulevard • Grants Pass, OR 97526 • 800.344.7930

DATE: 12 Aug 08

On 5 August at approximately 7:45 pm pacific time, a Carson Helicopters Inc. S-61N helicopter crashed while transporting firefighters on the Iron Complex fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, approximately 15 miles northwest of Junction City, California in Trinity County, California. The Carson S-61N Fire King helicopter had 13 people on board; two Carson pilots, one US Forest Service Inspector pilot, and 10 contract firefighters from Grayback Forestry. The aircraft was lifting off from Helispot #44 on the Buckhorn Fire to transport firefighters back to base when it suddenly descended and impacted the steep hillside adjacent to the heli-spot. The aircraft subsequently caught on fire. Four people were able to escape the wreckage; one Carson pilot and three firefighters. The other nine persons are deceased. The helicopter was piloted by Roark Schwanenberg of Lostine, Oregon and William Coultas of Cave Junction, Oregon. Both are highly experienced command helicopter pilots with over 25,000 hours of combined flight time. William Coultas escaped the aircraft and is at UC-Davis Medical Center in Davis, California in critical but stable condition with serious burns. Roark Schwanenberg was killed in the accident. Seven employees from Oregon-based Grayback Forestry and the US Forest Service pilot were also killed. All of the deceased have now been removed from the wreckage of the aircraft. At this time, the cause of the accident is unknown. Carson has a team of senior personnel assigned to participate in the investigation of the crash with the NTSB and the US Forest Service. Carson Helicopters is a family owned company and our primary focus at this time is the welfare and care of the families of all the persons involved in this accident and for our employees. This is a severe blow to our company, to southern Oregon, and to the firefighting community. We feel a deep and grievous sense of loss for every person on board our aircraft. A joint tribute is being planned by Carson Helicopters, Grayback Forestry, and the USFS to honor all of the personnel involved in the accident. It is currently scheduled from 10:00 to 11:30 AM on Friday, 15 August 2008, at the Lithia Amphitheatre at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point, Oregon. The tribute is open for all who wish to attend.