LINCOLN COUNTY, Nev. — Two planes attempting to contain a Nevada wildfire collided Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The planes crashed around 1 p.m. near Caliente, KSNV reported.
According to Federal Aviation Administration officials, two single-engine Air Tractor AT8T airplanes were sent to help contain the Bishop Fire, located about 17 miles southwest of Caliente.
#BREAKING NEWS: Two single-engine air tankers collided in midair while battling the Bishop Fire near Caliente https://t.co/y5ph47apOi pic.twitter.com/NxoT60gurw
— KSNV News 3 (@News3LV) July 30, 2020
The FAA said one person was aboard each plane, KSNV reported. Several fire crews were establishing an anchor point and were working to contain the fire when the crash occurred.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the collision, KVUU reported.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office did not release details about the pilots’ conditions, according to KSNV.
Cox Media Group