Nicholas Dale

Friends and family of helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, who died battling the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray, shared memories of his life and character. Dale, 56, was flying a Kaman K-1200 K-MAX helicopter for Helicopter Express when it crashed at Silver Jack Reservoir. Tributes included a procession from Montrose to Denver International Airport, highlighting his dedication, humility, and selflessness.

Helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, 56, was killed while battling the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray in a Kaman K-1200 K-MAX helicopter operated by Helicopter Express. Friends and family remembered him as a humble, dedicated pilot and father, with a procession held from Montrose to Denver International Airport to honor his life.

Colorado will honor fallen firefighting pilot Nicholas Dale, killed in a helicopter crash while fighting the Gold Mountain Fire, with a statewide procession from Montrose to Denver. Dale's K-MAX helicopter crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir in Gunnison County on July 12, and the NTSB and FAA are investigating the incident.

The pilot who died in a helicopter crash at Silver Jack Reservoir in Gunnison County has been identified as Nicholas Dale, 56, from Sooke, British Columbia. He was the sole occupant of the K-MAX helicopter involved in the incident.