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<\/p>\n2 dead after military helicopter from Fort Hood crashes in central Texas<\/p>\n
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Two people are dead after a military helicopter crashed in a field in Salado, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon, a sheriff\u2019s official said.<\/p>\n
The Apache helicopter from Fort Hood military installation crashed around 1:35 p.m. local time, and the two pilots on board were confirmed dead, according to Cliff Coleman, a spokesman for the Bell County Sheriff\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
Crews responded to a large, uncontrolled wildfire sparked by the crash, and evacuations were in place, Coleman said.<\/p>\n
The helicopter did not hit any structures or people, Coleman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was based at Fort Hood, the installation said in a statement. Local emergency responders, military personnel and law enforcement were on scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,\u201d Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general, said in a statement. \u201cOur thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was unclear where the helicopter was coming from or where it was headed.<\/p>\n
The AH-64 Apache is an attack helicopter with seats for two crew members: the pilot in the rear of the aircraft and the co-pilot and gunner in the front, according to the US Army.<\/p>\n
The four-bladed helicopter can carry 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 aerial rockets and 1,200 rounds for its 30 mm gun.<\/p>\n
Apaches have been upgraded and modernized since the aircraft was first introduced in 1984, and they are slated to keep flying until 2050.<\/p>\n