Context:

The family of helicopter pilot Michael Fournier, who died in a crash while combating the Hills Fire in Southern California in 2020, secured a $15 million settlement from Rotorcraft Support, Inc., the company responsible for maintaining the aircraft. Fournier was engaged in firefighting operations contracted by Cal Fire when the helicopter experienced a hydraulic system failure, as determined by the National Transportation Safety Board. Moments before the crash, Fournier reported hydraulic issues to air traffic control. The crash site was in a challenging, remote area that took a Fresno County Sheriff’s Department search and rescue team nearly four hours to reach. The family’s lawsuit aimed to achieve answers and accountability, which the settlement addressed, although they have chosen not to make public comments about the outcome.

Dive Deeper:

• Michael Fournier was piloting a Bell UH-1H helicopter to perform water drops over the Hills Fire when it crashed due to a hydraulic system failure, a conclusion reached by the National Transportation Safety Board.

• Fournier's employer, Guardian Helicopters, was under contract with Cal Fire to provide firefighting services, highlighting the private-public partnership in emergency response efforts.

• Rotorcraft Support, Inc., the company responsible for the helicopter's maintenance, agreed to a $15 million settlement with Fournier’s family, addressing the accountability sought by the family through their lawsuit.

• Prior to the crash, Fournier communicated with air traffic control about experiencing hydraulic difficulties, a critical factor in the sequence of events leading to the accident.

• The crash site was located in a remote and rugged area, requiring a lengthy and challenging search and rescue operation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, which involved a trek through smoke-filled skies and difficult terrain.

• The settlement was reached without public comment from the Fournier family, as they chose to remain private about the resolution, despite their pursuit of accountability through legal channels.

• The incident underscores the risks involved in aerial firefighting and the importance of stringent maintenance protocols for aircraft used in such high-stakes operations.