The Columbia Helicopters Boeing CH-47D Chinook had dropped several bucketloads of water on an out-of-control fire in a central Idaho (U.S.) forest when the helicopter suddenly climbed and yawed left as its two-member crew attempted to refill the 2,600-gal (9,842 L) bucket in the Salmon River. The helicopter then suddenly pitched nose down and plunged into the river.
Both pilots were killed, and the helicopter was destroyed in the July 21, 2022, accident.
U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators determined that a company-issued iPad had become stuck beneath the copilot’s left pedal, and the board said in its final report that the probable cause of the accident was the crew’s failure to properly secure the iPad, “leading to its migration into and jamming of the copilot’s left pedal, preventing the pilot from arresting a left yaw, and resulting in a loss of control.”
The helicopter was operated by Columbia Helicopters under contra…
