SACRAMENTO, CA – A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) helicopter made an emergency landing on Highway 99 south of Sacramento on Monday, January 29, 2018, resulting in minor to moderate injuries for the three individuals onboard. The incident occurred near the Arno Road exit, prompting a significant emergency response and disrupting traffic.
The UH-1H Huey helicopter, designated as CAL FIRE Copter 104, was reportedly returning from a training flight when it experienced a mechanical failure. The crew executed an emergency landing on the southbound lanes of the highway around 1 p.m. PST.
All three occupants of the helicopter—two pilots and a medic—were transported to UC Davis Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Scott Wertz, Battalion Chief for Sacramento Metro Fire, confirmed the extent of their injuries.
“All three patients were transported to UC Davis Medical Center with minor to moderate injuries,” said Battalion Chief Scott Wertz.
The emergency landing caused significant traffic delays, as southbound Highway 99 was closed for several hours while emergency crews secured the scene, assessed the damage, and prepared for the helicopter’s removal. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) worked to divert traffic and manage the congestion.
Investigation Initiated
Authorities quickly launched an investigation into the cause of the mechanical malfunction that led to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were notified and began their independent inquiries into the incident.
CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Marshall Torres provided initial details about the flight’s purpose and the nature of the failure.
“They were coming back from a training flight, an internal training flight. And during the training flight, they had some sort of mechanical failure,” stated Battalion Chief Marshall Torres.
The investigation is expected to examine the helicopter’s maintenance records, the flight crew’s actions, and the specific mechanical components that failed to determine the exact cause of the emergency landing.
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