Lars B. Stratte, Airtanker Pilot

Eight airtankers and three helicopters were working a 270-acre wildland fire south of Ukiah, California. The fire began near a suspected methamphetamine lab. Airtanker Pilots Groff and Stratte were operating air tankers carrying 800 gallons of fire retardant each. The two aircraft collided above the fire as one prepared to make a drop while the second was joining the rotation orbit of ready aircraft. Both pilots were killed and both aircraft were completely destroyed. Two men were charged with arson, murder, and drug production charges in relation to the origin of the fire. (The NTSB reports are available on-line at https://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp#query_start -- use NTSB Accident Numbers LAX01GA291A and LAX01GA291B)