09/24/2026
Ryan flew in MI on and off for prescribed fires and fighting fires, everyone in our household has worked with him as a pilot, fire fighter, but most importantly a friend! The wild fire community is tight and our hearts go out to his family and friends as we grieve the loss of such an amazing man! RIP Ryan, one of the best, gone too early!
🖤 END OF WATCH — PILOT RYAN CUTTER 🖤
Dome Fire — Yosemite National Park
September 20, 2026
The wildland-fire and aviation communities are mourning the loss of Ryan Cutter, a highly experienced pilot with Precision Helicopters who was killed while supporting suppression operations on the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park.
Ryan and fellow pilot Greg King were conducting water-bucket operations when their Super Puma helicopter crashed southeast of Ostrander Lake shortly before 3 p.m. Both pilots—the only people aboard—were killed. The cause remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
Ryan’s identity has now been officially released by Precision Helicopters. Based in Park City, Utah, he was an experienced fire and utility helicopter pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument credentials. His professional background included wildfire, utility, construction and emergency medical operations, with experience flying aircraft that included the AS332 Super Puma, S-61 and K-MAX.
Ryan was part of a specialized aviation community whose pilots operate heavy helicopters in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. His experience, skill and dedication placed him among those entrusted with protecting firefighters, communities and natural resources from above.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family, friends, coworkers and everyone throughout the aviation and wildland-fire communities grieving this heartbreaking loss. We also continue to hold the family and friends of Greg King close as they face the same unimaginable sorrow.
Wildland-fire pilots routinely fly through smoke, turbulence, steep terrain and rapidly changing conditions to support firefighters working below. Their missions demand exceptional judgment, discipline, precision and courage. Ryan Cutter answered that call—and made his final flight in service to others.
May God comfort Ryan’s family, strengthen those carrying the weight of this tragedy and protect every aviation and ground crew still working the fireline.
SAFETY MESSAGE: Wildland-fire aviation is an unforgiving environment where conditions and operational margins can change within seconds. No mission is so urgent that we stop evaluating the risk. Maintain clear communication, respect changing weather and visibility, speak up when something does not look right and never allow operational pressure to override sound judgment. The greatest tribute we can offer our fallen is to learn, remain vigilant and bring every crew member home.
Rest easy, Ryan. Your service, courage and dedication will never be forgotten.
—Retired Division Chief Will Spyrison
Angeles National Forest
InciNotes Administrator
Photo courtesy FlyPrecision/Precision Helicopters
