Two Army pilots killed in Texas Apache helicopter crash identified
The U.S. Army identified Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead as the two soldiers who died when an AH-64 Apache crashed during a maintenance test flight near Salado, Texas.
The U.S. Army announced Wednesday that Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, of Killeen, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25, of Belton, were killed when an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in a field near Salado, Texas. Both aviators were assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood. The aircraft was conducting a maintenance test flight when it experienced a mishap, according to a statement released Friday. 911 calls were received at about 1:30 p.m., and Bell County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene.
The crash ignited a grass fire that burned roughly 155 acres, threatening five homes and nine outbuildings; all but one outbuilding were saved. Fire crews fully contained the blaze and expected to declare it completely controlled by early Sunday afternoon.
The Army has placed a temporary stand-down on AH-64 Apache training flights until the cause of the accident is determined. The investigation remains ongoing.
"Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the soldiers we lost Wednesday," said Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood.