The death of a pilot whose firefighting helicopter crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir last month has been ruled an accident by a Grand Junction medical examiner, according to an autopsy report obtained by the Plaindealer.

The Gunnison County Coroner’s Office determined that Nicholas Dale drowned. The 56-year-old Canadian man, who died on July 12 while supporting firefighting operations on the Gold Mountain Fire, also had blunt force injuries from the crash, which were listed as contributing...