Two Killed When Army Apache Helicopter Crashes in Central Texas
An AH-64 Apache attack helicopter from Fort Hood crashed in a field near Salado, Texas, killing both pilots and igniting a wildfire.
An Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood went down in a field near Salado, Texas, at about 1:35 p.m. local time on Wednesday, killing the two crew members on board, a Bell County sheriff’s office spokesperson said. The crash sparked a large, uncontrolled wildfire, prompting evacuations and a response from local emergency services, military personnel and law enforcement.
The aircraft did not strike any structures or people, the spokesperson added, noting that the crash appeared violent. Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of Fort Hood, said the immediate priority was securing the site and supporting response efforts, and expressed condolences to the crew’s families while awaiting further details.
The Apache, a two-seat attack helicopter capable of carrying Hellfire missiles, rockets and a 30 mm cannon, has been in service since 1984 and is slated to remain operational through 2050. The cause of the flight and the direction it was traveling have not been disclosed.