A military attack helicopter crashed into a field in Central Texas on Wednesday, killing both pilots and triggering a fire that prompted evacuations in the surrounding area.
The AH-64 Apache helicopter, assigned to the Fort Hood military installation, went down near Salado, Texas, at approximately 1:35 p.m. local time, according to Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cliff Coleman. Authorities later confirmed that both pilots aboard the aircraft died in the crash, reports said.
The Apache is a two-seat attack helicopter, with the pilot positioned in the rear and the co-pilot and gunner seated in the front.
Emergency crews responded to a large and spreading wildfire sparked by the crash, said reports.
Officials said the fire spread to roughly 100 acres, and evacuations were ordered in nearby areas. By 5 p.m. local time, the blaze was reported to be 45 percent contained, per the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer.
Videos from the scene showed firefighters putting out wildfire blazes in an area surrounding the crash site.
Officials from Fort Hood and local police said that the chopper did not hit any structures or people on the ground.
“It crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash,” he said.
As of this writing, the Army has not released any information regarding the cause of the accident.
“Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general, said in a statement obtained by various media.
“Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information,” he added.
The injured soldiers were transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, according to an updated statement from Fort Hood officials.
Military officials said the identities of the victims will be released 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.
Authorities have not yet disclosed where the helicopter originated or its intended destination, and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, CNN reported.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) offered condolences following the deadly crash.
“Join Cecilia and me in prayer for their families and the entire Fort Hood community. Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation,” the governor said in a social media post.
The four-bladed AH-64 Apache is equipped to carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 aerial rockets and 1,200 rounds for its 30 mm chain gun.
First introduced in 1984, the Apache has undergone multiple upgrades and modernization efforts over the decades. The aircraft is expected to remain in service through at least 2050.
“It is highly mobile, lethal, and can destroy armor, personnel, and materiel targets in obscured battlefield conditions at ranges out to 8 kms (5 miles),” the Army said on its website.
“With the addition of improved situational awareness, flight performance, and joint interoperability, the AH-64E has become the most advanced aerial fighting vehicle in the world,” the website noted further.
Meanwhile, last month, the House narrowly passed the most expensive defense authorization bill in U.S. history on Wednesday, approving the measure by a four-vote margin.
The following day, however, the Senate declined to advance its own version after lawmakers in both chambers split over whether the military campaign against Iran should have congressional authorization.
The impasse represents more than a procedural dispute. For the first time in 66 consecutive years, it poses a serious threat to passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
If Congress fails to reach an agreement before Oct. 1, the stalemate could delay or disrupt major Pentagon priorities, including $17.5 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, $54.6 billion for drone autonomy programs, and pay raises for more than 1.3 million active-duty service members, according to the Congressional Research Service’s defense authorization primer.
The House approved the NDAA by a 216–212 vote, marking one of the narrowest margins in recent history for legislation traditionally considered must-pass.
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