Incident Overview
A three-engine aircraft operating with a pilot and six smoke jumpers on board departed from Spotted Bear-US Forest Service Airport. While flying at a low altitude over the Flathead Indian Reserve, located south of Kalispell, the aircraft suffered a simultaneous failure of all three engines. This loss of power caused the aircraft to stall and subsequently crash into a wooded area.
Occupant Injuries and Aircraft Damage
All seven occupants—the pilot and six smoke jumpers—were injured in the accident. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident, as determined by the official investigation, was the failure of all three engines in flight.