Overview
- The AH-64E Apache crashed into a field near Salado in Bell County on Wednesday, and both onboard crew members were found dead at the scene.
- The impact ignited a large grass fire that burned roughly 40 hectares, prompted precautionary evacuations and was later reported partly contained by firefighting teams.
- Fort Hood issued a statement expressing condolences and said its criminal investigation unit has taken charge of the inquiry into the crash.
- Bell County officials said the helicopter struck open ground and did not hit buildings or bystanders, and the military has not released the identities of the two crew members.
- The Apache is a two-seat Army attack helicopter regularly based at Fort Hood and investigators will examine wreckage and flight records to determine what happened, with officials warning the cause is not yet known.