Wife honors legacy of pilot killed in Yosemite 'Dome Fire' crash
FRESNO, Calif. -- The wife of Ryan Cutter, one of two pilots killed in a helicopter crash while battling the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park, says she hopes people remember him for his compassion, dedication and love of life.
Cutter and Greg King were on fire suppression operations when their helicopter crashed Sunday in Mariposa. The two pilots died in the crash.
In an interview with Action News, Cutter's wife, Nina Pacchia, said she is focusing on the person her husband was rather than the tragedy of his death.
"I think about who was in that helicopter. My focus has been thinking about the Ryan that was the passionate and giving human, rather than focusing on the news that I received on Sunday," Pacchia said.
Pacchia described her husband as loving and adventurous who brought a sense of calm.
"You know, he had this matter of fact attitude. He had a calming energy about him. I could be extremely stressed, extremely anxious. You know, I have a high pressure job and Ryan was always able to bring me back down," she said.
The 46-year-old pilot began his career in the air medical field before becoming an aerial firefighter in 2017. Pacchia says her husband had more than 6,000 hours of flight time and was passionate about helping and protecting the communities where he worked, especially those affected by wildfires.
"It would really hit him hard to see fires that would engulf populated areas," Pacchia said.
RELATED: Yosemite National Park asking for public's help on origin of the Dome Fire
The couple would have celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in November. Pacchia said she is holding on to memories of both major milestones and everyday moments they shared together.
"We had a bedtime routine, right? So I would go to bed before he would, I would do my routine and he would come in and say goodnight. You know, we just, we had these very ordinary little things. I think that's what I'm going to miss the most," she said.
Pacchia said Cutter's death still feels unreal as she continues to cope with the loss. She said she has been encouraged by the support she has received from the firefighting community and others.
"If there was any, you know, glimpse of goodness in any of this, first it was what he was doing and why he was doing it," Pacchia said.
Pacchia adds she has found comfort in supporting Kelly, the wife of Greg King, and that the tragedy has brought the two women closer.
A celebration of life for Cutter is planned for next month in Utah.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
A GoFundMe campaign launched for Cutter's family has already raised tens of thousands of dollars. If you would like to donate, click here.
Another GoFundMe campaign for King's family has also been set up; you can find that link here.
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