Texas, Aug. 13 – Two pilots died Wednesday when a military helicopter slammed into a Central Texas field near Salado and caught fire. The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter from Fort Hood crashed around 1:35 p.m. local time, killing both crew members onboard, according to Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cliff Coleman. Officials described the impact as violent, with the aircraft striking an open field without hitting structures or people in the rural area.
Emergency responders battled a large uncontrolled wildfire ignited by the military helicopter crash in Central Texas, prompting evacuations as smoke and flames spread from the debris. Local crews, military personnel, and law enforcement secured the site near Fort Hood while containing the blaze sparked by the Apache wreckage. The incident occurred in Bell County, drawing immediate attention to aviation safety protocols at the installation.
Fort Hood confirmed the AH-64 Apache was based at the post. Acting commanding general Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven emphasized securing the crash site and supporting response efforts, extending thoughts to the pilots’ families amid the ongoing investigation. Details on the flight’s origin and destination remained unclear following the Central Texas military helicopter incident that claimed two lives.
The AH-64 Apache serves as a highly mobile, lethal attack helicopter seating a pilot and co-pilot gunner, equipped to carry Hellfire missiles, rockets, and 30 mm gun rounds for armored and personnel targets. Modernized since its 1984 introduction, these aircraft continue operations through 2050. The tragic Fort Hood helicopter crash underscores the demands of military aviation training in Central Texas fields.