Air Shasta pilot among 3 killed in weekend Cal Fire helicopter crash in SoCal

One of the helicopters involved in a midair collision while responding to a vegetation fire in Southern California over the weekend was operated by a Redding-based aviation company.

And the pilot, Tony Sousa, one of three people on board who died in the crash, also worked for the company, Redding-based Air Shasta Rotor & Wing.

“On Sunday evening, an Air Shasta aircraft was involved in an incident while working with Cal Fire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) as an aerial command ship near Cabazon, California. Cal Fire is reporting that there was a midair collision between two aircraft, but few other facts are known at this time regarding the chain of events that preceded the incident," Air Shasta Rotor & Wing posted on Facebook."What we do know is that there was a subsequent crash and our friend Tony Sousa as well as two Cal Fire employees on board perished in this tragic accident. The NTSB (National Traffic Safety Board) is currently investigating the crash, and we hope to learn more information in the coming days. It is an understatement to say that we are saddened, Tony was a great guy and a valuable member of our team. He will be greatly missed,” the Facebook post said.

On Tuesday afternoon, an Air Shasta employee referred a Record Searchlight reporter to the Facebook post and said the company at this time would not comment further.

Cal Fire identified the other two people killed in the crash as Cal Fire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof and Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, who had 24 years and 19 years of experience, respectively, with the state agency.

"We have lost three great individuals," Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher said during a Monday news conference covered by the Desert Sun in Palm Springs. "Three fathers, three husbands, three friends, three sons."

Sunday’s incident was dispatched as a structure fire in Cabazon, a city east of Riverside, around 6 p.m. But the blaze spread to surrounding vegetation and firefighting airplanes and helicopters were called in to help.

According to the Desert Sun, the two helicopters that collided were an Erickson S-64E and a smaller Bell 407. The Erickson helicopter was able to land safely, but the Bell 407 crashed, killing all three people on board.

“Although this was a tragic event, we are also thankful today that it wasn’t worse,” Fulcher said during Monday’s news conference. “The individuals in the first helicopter were able to land safely without incident and no one else was hurt.”

The Desert Sun reported that Sousa was flying under contract with Cal Fire.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a statement about the incident.

“On behalf of all Californians, our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the loved ones, friends and Cal Fire colleagues mourning the loss of Assistant Chief Bischof, Fire Captain Rodriguez and Pilot Sousa. This terrible tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our courageous firefighters face daily while working to keep our communities safe. We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude and will always honor their bravery and sacrifices,” Newsom said.

A GoFundMe account has been established for Sousa.

“It is with heavy hearts that we come together to remember and honor the life of Tony Sousa, who tragically passed away doing what he loved. Tony was a remarkable individual who touched the lives of everyone he met with his warmth, kindness, and unwavering spirit. As we navigate this difficult time, we're reaching out to you to help support his family in this time of need,” the account said.

As of early Tuesday afternoon, $3,820 had been raised.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Air Shasta pilot among three killed in weekend Cal Fire copter crash