An Army Apache helicopter crashed in a central Texas field on Wednesday, killing both occupants and igniting a wildfire that prompted the evacuation of several homes, according to the Bell County Sheriff's office. Officials from nearby Fort Hood confirmed the crash of the AH-64 Apache. Cliff Coleman, spokesman for the Bell County Sheriff’s office, confirmed that both individuals on board died.
A military official told The Associated Press that the helicopter was engaged in a routine training flight when it went down. The official spoke on condition of anonymity. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The Bell County Sheriff’s office and Fort Hood’s criminal investigation division are leading the investigation.
The helicopter did not strike any homes or other structures upon crashing, Coleman stated. Photographs from the scene depicted firefighters in a scorched field with dark smoke rising from the burning wreckage. Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general, stated, “Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts. Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information.”
The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter has been in military service since its initial deployment in 1984. The Apache is designed with a tandem seating arrangement, featuring the pilot in the rear seat and the co-pilot gunner in the front.
This incident follows previous fatal accidents at Fort Hood. In November 2015, four soldiers died when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise. In 2016, nine Fort Hood soldiers lost their lives when their vehicle was swept away by a rain-swollen creek.