U.S. Army Temporarily Halts AH-64 Apache Training Flights Following Fatal Crash

The U.S. Army announced a temporary suspension of AH-64 Apache training flights after a tragic incident that left two soldiers dead. The Apache helicopter from Fort Hood crashed near Salado, Texas, on a Wednesday, causing concern about the safety of these training operations.

The pause in flights will remain until there is a better understanding of what caused the accident.

The crash involved a helicopter that went down in a field during a routine training session. Both individuals on board were killed. This crash resulted in a wildfire, prompting local evacuations. Cliff Coleman from the Bell County Sheriff’s Office reported that the helicopter avoided hitting homes or structures, describing the scene as a “violent crash.”

The Army identified the deceased pilots as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25.

Apache Crashes and Safety Incidents

This incident adds to a series of notable Apache helicopter mishaps in recent years, which include fatal crashes and accidents prompting safety stand-downs.

• March 2024, Colorado and Washington: Two Apache helicopters experienced crashes in separate training incidents. One occurred at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, and another at Fort Carson in Colorado, resulting in injuries to the crews involved.
• February 2024, Mississippi: An AH-64 crash near Booneville claimed the lives of two aviators from the Mississippi Army National Guard. This led to a temporary pause in helicopter operations after another Apache incident in Utah.
• February 2024, Utah: A Utah Army Guard Apache crash injured two pilots near West Jordan.
• April 2023, Alaska: A collision of two Apaches from Fort Wainwright near Healy resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and injured a fourth. This followed a previous Apache rollover incident in Alaska in February 2023, which also caused injuries.
• May 2023, Washington: An Apache from Joint Base Lewis-McChord crashed during training at Yakima Training Center, leaving two soldiers injured.
• February 2021, Alabama: An AH-64 Apache crash at Hooper Stagefield near Fort Rucker injured both crew members.

Comparison with Other U.S. Military Aircraft Incidents

The recent concerns surrounding Apache helicopters can be put into perspective alongside other notable U.S. military aviation incidents.

2026

• March 12, 2026, western Iraq: U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crash.
• June 15, 2026, Edwards Air Force Base, California: A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crash shortly after takeoff.
• June 13, 2026, southeast of Seattle, Washington: A Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet incident during training.

2025

• January 28, 2025, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska: Air Force F-35A Lightning II crash.
• January 29, 2025, Washington, D.C.: Army UH-60 Black Hawk collision with a commercial aircraft.
• February 6, 2025, Philippines: DoD-contracted Beechcraft crash.
• October 16, 2025, California: Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper incident.

2024

• January 4, 2024, South Dakota: Air Force B-1B Lancer crash during landing.
• February 6, 2024, California: Marine Corps CH-53E helicopter crash.
• April 30, 2024, New Mexico: Air Force F-16C crash.
• May 28, 2024, New Mexico: F-35B crash after refueling.

2023

• February 15, 2023, Alabama: Tennessee Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crash.
• March 29, 2023, Kentucky: A collision of two Army HH-60 aircraft.
• August 27, 2023, Australia: Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash.
• November 29, 2023, Japan: Air Force CV-22B Osprey crash.

2022

• March 18, 2022, Norway: Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash.
• March 30, 2022, Virginia: Navy E-2D crash.
• June 8, 2022, California: Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash.

2021

• August 31, 2021, off San Diego: MH-60S crash into the sea.
• November 19, 2021, Texas: Collision of two T-38C Talons.

2020

• June 15, 2020, UK: F-15C Eagle crash.
• December 8, 2020, Michigan: F-16C crash during training.

2019

• March 30, 2019, Arizona: AH-1Z Viper crash.
• November 21, 2019, Oklahoma: Collision of two T-38C Talons.

2018

• May 2, 2018, Georgia: Puerto Rico Air National Guard crash.
• November 13, 2018, Texas: T-38C Talon crash.
• December 6, 2018, Japan: F/A-18 and KC-130 mishap.

2017

• July 10, 2017, Mississippi: KC-130T Hercules crash.

2016

• January 14, 2016, Hawaii: CH-53E Super Stallions crash.
• May 19, 2016, Guam: B-52H Stratofortress crash.
• June 2, 2016, Tennessee: Blue Angels F/A-18C crash.

For further details or updates on this topic, contact Edward Pearcey from Newsweek.