Kruger Rock Fire plane crash – Heroic pilot dies trying to put out blazing wildfire in Colorado air tanker tragedy
A PILOT was killed while fighting the Kruger Rock Fire when a single-engine air tanker crashed Tuesday night.
Cops in Larimer County, Colorado, said the crash was first reported at around 6:37pm and crews were swiftly deployed to the search area.
Hours later, the wreckage was found at around 9:49pm near the south end of Hermit Park.
Cops said: "We are sad to report that the pilot and only occupant of the aircraft did not survive."
An Air Tractor Flight Boss aircraft left Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland at 6:13pm and was last tracked at 6:36pm in the Hermit Park area, according to data.
The plane can drop up to 800 gallons of water or retardant on a blaze per flight and 14,000 gallons per hour, according to the website.
It was to be the first time that a fixed-winged aircraft was being used to fight a fire at night using night-vision goggles, according to .
The pilot, who has not yet been named, told the outlet that was "excited" to make history.
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He said: “Pretty cool thing to be a part of, I think. This is the culmination of about five years of pretty hard work.”
The Kruger Rock Fire is said to be 15 percent contained as of Tuesday evening.
It was reported just before 7am. Larimer County cops said the fire started after high winds blew a tree onto a nearby power line, causing it to arc.
Dozens of fire crews and first responders were seen where the blaze first started.
Voluntary and mandatory evacuations were ordered but there has been no structural damage, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
Fire crews are monitoring the blaze overnight and operations will continue in the morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
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