The National Transportation Safety Board released its final report, concluding that a 2023 midair copter collision was caused by one crew’s failure to comply with multiple safety procedures.

A lack of communication and a sudden, unauthorized descent by one helicopter were behind a deadly crash that killed two firefighters and a contract pilot battling a Riverside County fire in 2023, according to a national investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its final report Thursday and concluded that the probable cause of the midair collision was poor judgment by one crew, who failed to comply with multiple safety procedures.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Assistant Chief Joshua Bischof, 46, Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, 44, and pilot Tony Sousa,

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