DEADLY GRAPESEED HELICOPTER CRASH
18th of March, 2022
LSFD Public Relations Specialist Jennifer Schneider
GRAPESEED - A helicopter crashed near Grapeseed airfield, killing the only person on board, and setting landscape vegetation on fire.
The Los Santos Fire Department responded on Wednesday, 16th of March, 2022 to a reported mayday call coming from a pilot near the Grapeseed airfield. The pilot reported issues with both engines before approaching the airfield.
Firefighters arrived to find a helicopter involved in a heavy fire at the end of the main runway. The vegetation quickly caught fire, spreading to the nearby field. ARFF1 company along with Brush Patrol 1 crew approached the helicopter from the field, and other units assisted from the southern side.
Engine 7 crew had to move a small ultralight from the runway, to prevent further damage. Engine 7 and Truck 7 crews then continued with the fire attack from the southern side. After approximately 37 minutes into the fire attack, a knockdown was declared by Fire Captain James Reinhart.
During the overhaul, units were looking for more hotspots and victims. Only one deceased female was found on the front seats tragically beyond medical help. No other injuries were reported.
The circumstances leading to this tragic crash are being investigated by the San Andreas State Fire Marshals and SAAA. Identification of the deceased female will be handled by the Los Santos County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.
Incident Photo Album
Units Dispatched: E7, BP1, PR1, PR4, T7, RA71, RA831, ARFF1, BC2