Two US Army soldiers were killed on August 13, 2026, when their AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in open fields south of Salado, a village in Bell County, central Texas. The Bell County Sheriff's Office confirmed both occupants were dead when officers arrived at the scene.
The aircraft was assigned to Fort Hood, a major US Army installation near the crash site. Emergency services received a call at approximately 13:33 local time (18:33 GMT) reporting wreckage in the fields. Upon arrival, first responders found the downed helicopter and a fire spreading rapidly across the area.
Crash Site Response and Fire
Bell County Sheriff's Office spokesman Cliff Coleman said the blaze was "getting out of control very quickly" when officers reached the scene. Emergency response teams worked to manage the situation while the US Army began securing the site. The fire broke out at the crash site, complicating the response effort.
Brig Gen Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said in a statement: "Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts. Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information."
Details of the AH-64 Apache Helicopter
The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four-bladed attack helicopter designed for armed reconnaissance, close combat, mobile strike, and vertical manoeuvre operations, according to the US Army. It has a two-seat configuration: a pilot in the rear cockpit and a co-pilot gunner in the front. Given this configuration, both crew members died in the crash.
The US Army said an investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. The crash occurred in a rural area south of Salado, which is located in Bell County, Texas.
Context of Military Aircraft Crashes
This incident follows a separate military aviation tragedy reported earlier. Legit.ng reported that five members of the Indian Air Force died when an Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine mission in the Jorhat area of Assam, northeastern India.
The Bell County crash marks a significant loss for the US Army community at Fort Hood, as the base mourns the two soldiers. The investigation will determine the cause, and further details are expected as authorities release more information.
