Firefighting Pilot Ronald “Van” Patton Lost in Airplane Accident

Ronald “Van” Patton was fatally injured last month in an airplane accident near Capitan, New Mexico. He was flying his SEAT firefighting aircraft from Texas to Oregon to help battle fires in that state. Van was a second-generation pilot who earned his pilot’s certificate as a teenager. He was also an aircraft mechanic who worked at building and maintaining various different aircraft throughout his career.

After spending time working for Boeing in Portland OR, he left to pursue a career in agricultural aviation. In 2023 he transitioned from ag to firefighting, recently being checked out in single engine scooper aircraft. NAAA members and staff offer their condolences to Van’s family and friends as they mourn his loss. Please keep them in your prayers.