Two people were killed after a helicopter went down in Salado, Texas, on Wednesday, the Bell County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
The aircraft was identified as an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter operated by the U.S. Army. According to an Army statement cited by ABC News, the chopper crashed in an open field near Fort Hood, where the aircraft is based.
Crash triggers grass fire, no structures damaged
The helicopter crash triggered a grass fire that continued to burn at the crash site. However, authorities said no homes, buildings or other structures were damaged in the incident.
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office said it received an emergency 911 call reporting the crash shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time. When deputies reached the area, they found the resulting grass fire was “out of control.”
Officials later confirmed that the aircraft involved was an Apache military helicopter. The AH-64 is a two-seat attack helicopter, meaning two crew members were aboard the aircraft.
Army prioritizes crash site security
As emergency crews worked to secure the area and respond to the crash, Army officials said their immediate focus was on protecting the site and assisting with the initial response.
“Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general, said in a statement.
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“Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information,” the statement further read.
Authorities had not immediately determined the Apache’s departure point or its intended destination when the crash occurred.
Inside the Army’s Apache Helicopter
The U.S. Army describes the AH-64 Apache as a two-seat attack helicopter. The pilot operates from the rear cockpit, while the co-pilot and gunner sit in the forward position.
The four-bladed aircraft is heavily armed and can be equipped with up to 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 aerial rockets and 1,200 rounds of ammunition for its 30 mm cannon.
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Since entering service in 1984, the Apache has undergone multiple upgrades and modernization programs to extend its capabilities and service life. The Army currently expects the aircraft to remain in operation through 2050.
