Page 7 - Cedar Basin Fire News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

2 perish in wildland firefighting aviation accident in northwest Arizona Accident occurred during initial attack operations on the Cedar Basin Fire PHOENIX The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working with other local, state, and federal agencies to respond to a wildland firefighting aircraft accident that claimed the lives of both crew on board. The accident occurred at approximately noon on July 10 as part of initial attack efforts on the Cedar Basin Fire, located 14 miles east of Wikieup, in northwestern Arizona. Pilot Matthew Miller, 48, and Air Tactical Group Supervisor Jeff Piechura, 62, were on board a Beechcraft King Air C-90 aircraft, conducting visual reconnaissance and aviation command and control over the fire, when the accident occurred. Miller was a fire pilot with Falcon Executive Aviation, Inc, contracted by the U.S. Forest Service. Piechura was an employee with the Coronado National Forest. Their remains have been recovered from the accident site.

United statesCedar basinCoronado national forestMatthew millerRaymond suazoFalcon executive aviation incBureau of land managementTactical group supervisor jeff piechuraDepartment of interior office aviation servicesNational transportation safety boardAviation administrationUs forest serviceLand managementCedar basin fireAir tactical group supervisor jeff piechuraBeechcraft king air