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2025 WOR: De Soto Prescribed Fire Helicopter Accident – March 30, 2015

Letter to Leadership |  Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7  

 

Incident Summary:

On March 30, 2015, at approximately 1436, helicopter N50KH, a Type 3 rotor wing under contract with the USFS, experienced a catastrophic loss of engine power during prescribed fire aerial ignition Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) operations on the De Soto National Forest in Mississippi. The helicopter came to rest within the burn unit after having been in the air for an hour and having already completed the first PSD flight leg. Three personnel were onboard. Pilot Brandon Ricks (age 40) of Blanchard, OK and Firing Boss Steve Cobb (age 55) of Wiggins, MS were killed. The PSD Operator was seriously injured and walked through a flaming front to escape the crash site. He was transported by air to a regional hospital and made a full recovery. He continues to work in aviation today.

The investigation reported the helicopter experienced a “loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.” No mechanical failures were found, nor negligence on behalf of the personnel on the aircraft that day.

Pilot Brandon Ricks
Pilot Brandon Ricks
Firing Boss Steve Cobb
Firing Boss Steve Cobb

Discussion:

  • Sometimes helicopters fall out of the sky. When you are working with or around helicopters, what can you do that might improve rescue operations should they be required?
  • How might your Incident Within an Incident response planning be unique for helicopters?
  • “Is this flight necessary?” is a question we are trained to ask (IRPG aviation pages).
    • Think about your experience related to flights:
      • When and where does this question fit in the planning cycle?
      • Can it be asked more than once?
      • What happens when there is disagreement?
      • What other operations can we adapt this question to? (Is this ________ necessary?)
         

References:

Category
Week of Remembrance

6MFS Suggestion Form


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NWCG Latest Announcements

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee