Army Apache helicopter crash in Texas kills 2 crew members aboard

Two crew members aboard an AH-64E Army Apache helicopter from Fort Hood, Texas, were killed when the aircraft crashed on Wednesday, a Fort Hood news release says.

Both soldiers’ names are being withheld pending next of kin notification, the news release says. The soldiers will be transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center  at Fort Hood.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time,” Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said in a statement.

The helicopter went down in Salado, Texas — less than 30 miles southeast of the Army base.  The two crew members aboard the Apache were pronounced dead at the scene Wednesday afternoon, said Cliff Coleman, a spokesman for the Bell County Sheriff’s Office.

Coleman said the two crew members were the only ones aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash and referred further questions to officials at Fort Hood and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division.

The Apache crash is the latest military aircraft training accident in recent months. In May, two Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided midair during a demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and all four pilots ejected. In June, a Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet crashed and a pilot ejected near Mount Rainier in Washington state. Also that month, eight people were killed after an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in California. Then, just last month, an F-35B crashed while landing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California. The pilot was recovered and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

UPDATE: 8/12/20226 This article has been updated with information from a Fort Hood news release.