Overview

• The helicopter lost contact and crashed around 9 p.m. PDT on Sept. 17 in a rural area west of Olympia near Joint Base Lewis‑McChord.
• Officials have not released the conditions of those on board as the response continues as an active search‑and‑rescue mission.
• Dense terrain and a brush fire of roughly one acre have limited access to the site, delaying initial rescue attempts.
• Thurston County deputies located the scene, reporting intense heat that halted efforts, while King County’s Guardian 1 and special operations rescue teams joined the operation.
• The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with Army officials describing the situation as active and ongoing.