Edrik was assigned along with a number of firefighters to the Iron Complex fire in California’s Trinity Alps Wilderness. A forecast for worsening weather necessitated the removal of approximately 50 firefighters from the area. A Sikorsky S61-N helicopter was assigned to ferry the firefighters to a safer location. The helicopter completed 2 trips and had made a refueling stop. After it refueled, it returned for its third load of passengers. During departure, the helicopter experienced a loss of power to the main rotor during takeoff initial climb, and subsequently impacted trees and terrain. The aircraft came to rest on its left side. A post-crash fire consumed the aircraft. Nine firefighters, including two pilots died in the crash and a pilot and 3 firefighters were severely injured. James Ramage, Roark Schwanenberg, David Steele, Matthew Hammer, Bryan Rich, Shawn Blazer, Scott Charleson Steven Renno perished.