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Incident Name: Roberts Fire, east of Payson AZ
Date: 6/15/61
Personnel: Charles "Chuck" Cochrane
Age:
Agency/Organization: a Marana Flying Service under contract with the US Forest Service
Position: Pilot
Summary: On June 15, 1061, Chuck Cochrane a pilot of an aerial tanker owned by a Marana flying service, died when his converted World War II torpedo bomber (TBM) developed engine trouble and plowed into a ridge. He had been dropping fire extinguishing solution on the 400 acre Roberts Fire east of Payson AZ in the Mogollon Rim country.
TBM example for type of plane; photo credit: from Tom Janney's collection.
Different fire, but same general area Mogollon Rim area as the Hatchery Fire midair collision:
Hatchery... was 1/4 mi east of the old Horton Creek Rd, approximately 16 mi northeast of Prescott; the Hatchery fire was lightning caused, in the Dick Williams Creek area southeast of Tonto Fish Hatchery. A week and a half later it was reported to be only 400 acres.
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- US Forest Service Memorial page: Chuck Cochrane
- The Associated Aerial Firefighters Memorial Page
- Memorial at the old Payson Station (now a museum)
“Dedicated to Firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our magnificent Mogollon Rim Country.”
- Chuck Cochane TBM Air Tanker Pilot 6/15/61 Roberts Fire
- Mention of loss of air tanker (pilot: Chuck Cochane) in last paragraph, and possible cause of the crash
- Wildlandfire.com: Memorials and Monuments
TBM silhouette:
Contributors to this article: Mike Johns, Tom Janney, John Miller, Mellie
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