2008 doesn’t seem so long ago, this evening marks 15 years since we lost 9 people on the Iron 44 incident. Take pause and remember those lost. Never forget.
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My first year in fire…
We remember the seven members of the hand crew on board that evening:
Shawn Blazer, 30, of Medford, Ore.
Scott Charlson, 25, of Phoenix, Ore.
Edrik Gomez, 19, of Ashland, Ore.
Matt Hammer, 23, of Grants Pass, Ore.
Steven Caleb Renno, 21, of Cave Junction, Ore.
Bryan Rich, 29, of Medford, Ore.
David Steele, 19, of Ashland, Ore.
We also remember the pilot of the helicopter, Roark Schwanenberg, 54, from Lostine, Ore., and the USFS inspector pilot who was on board, Jim Ramage, 64, from Redding, Calif. Four other passengers suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash; all recovered from their injuries.
This tragic event gained national attention when witness accounts reported that the lift-off of the helicopter appeared sluggish. Comparisons were made to four previous helicopter crashes, all of which occurred as the aircraft was lifting off, and all of which involved “the failure of a clutch mechanism that connects engines to the helicopter’s five main rotors,” according to the Oregonian.
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Directly related to over selling of the performance for the S-61 by that companies’ leadership. Which then brought on the criminal charges.
Putting all that aside, thank you for the reminder of this very sad but important learning experience for all of us. Especially those of us in aviation. Speaking just to Jim Ramage, he was an incredible pilot.
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#always remembered! Iron 44 & Mann Gulch…
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An incredible pilot and a great person!
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Thank you wfapdude, we do need to remember Mann Gulch on this date as well. We should always keep the friends and families on our thoughts and prayers too
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Yes Jim was both an incredible pilot and great person. I remember the stab of grief that I felt when I learned that he was one of the casualties.
I usually get to NIFC at least once a year. I always walk through the memorial garden.
So many of the folks memorialized there are friends or at least people I had contact with.
One cannot forget. #always remembered!
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Much to the disappointment of the two captains, Jim made my experience at Vina enjoyable. Still remember his grin coming on duty driving the mommy vehicle with the license plate RAMVAN. RIP
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Was at the ICP during the incident listening to the radio traffic and setting up a triage area for patients that never came. Glad the topic was brought up to remember those who lost their lives that day and to keep the lessons learned fresh so this does not happen again. My heart goes out to Grayback Forestry and all the friends/family’s of the Iron 44…
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Beyond a horrific day on the fire that day and the days that followed
And to the others that perished on that fire and a few close calls
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A costly day in Fire History to say the least. Thoughts & Prayers for our fallen, their families & the survivors… #neverforgotten #alwaysinourhearts
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We should never forget that day at Iron 44 and always keep those lost and their families in our thoughts prayers.
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