A military helicopter crash in Salado, Texas, claimed the lives of two people Wednesday afternoon, according to local law enforcement officials quoted by CNN.
The aircraft, an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter originating from the Fort Hood military base, went down at approximately 1:35 p.m. local time. Both pilots on board were pronounced dead at the scene, stated Cliff Coleman, a spokesperson for the Bell County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to contend with a massive, uncontained wildfire ignited by the impact, which forced nearby evacuations.
Coleman noted that the aircraft did not strike any individuals or buildings.
Fort Hood confirmed in an official statement that the AH-64 Apache belonged to the installation. Local emergency teams, military officials, and law enforcement agencies responded to the crash site.
The flight origin and intended destination of the helicopter remain unknown.
According to the US Army, the AH-64 Apache is an attack helicopter configured with tandem seating for two crew members: a pilot seated in the rear and a co-pilot/gunner positioned in the front.
The four-blade aircraft is capable of being armed with 1,200 rounds of 30 mm ammunition, 76 aerial rockets, and 16 Hellfire missiles.
First introduced in 1984, the Apache fleet has undergone continuous modernization and upgrading, with plans to keep the aircraft operational until 2050.