Two US Army soldiers killed in Apache helicopter crash near Fort Hood, Texas

Two U.S. Army soldiers were killed on August 12, 2026, when their AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in a field near Salado, Texas, during a routine training flight from Fort Hood. The violent impact did not hit any structures but ignited a 100-acre grass fire, forcing local home evacuations and road closures. The Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, which marks another fatal training incident for the major military installation.

Apache helicopter crash near Salado

• ▪The AH-64 Apache helicopter did not strike any homes, residential buildings, or other structures during the crash.
• ▪A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in a field south of Salado, Texas, on August 12, 2026.
• ▪The AH-64 Apache helicopter crash occurred in Bell County, Texas, approximately 60 to 70 miles north of Austin.

Two soldiers killed on impact

• ▪Two U.S. Army soldiers on board the AH-64 Apache helicopter were killed in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.
• ▪The deceased soldiers were transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood.
• ▪The U.S. Army withheld the identities of the two deceased soldiers pending notification of their families.

Grass fire sparks evacuations

• ▪The grass fire sparked by the helicopter crash prompted local authorities to evacuate several homes in the area.
• ▪The helicopter crash sparked a grass fire that burned approximately 100 acres and was 45% contained by 5:00 p.m. local time.
• ▪The Salado Fire Department issued a public safety alert and closed nearby roads due to the wildfire, making them impassable.

Fort Hood routine training flight

• ▪Fort Hood, located near Killeen, Texas, spans nearly 215,000 acres and serves as a major hub for armored warfare and aviation training.
• ▪The AH-64 Apache helicopter was based at Fort Hood and was conducting a routine training flight when it crashed.

Crash investigation underway

• ▪Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Senator John Cornyn expressed condolences and offered prayers for the families of the deceased soldiers.
• ▪The Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash.
• ▪Brigadier General Ethan Diven stated that the immediate priority of the military was securing the crash site and supporting initial response efforts.

Fort Hood previous fatal incidents

• ▪In 2016, nine Fort Hood soldiers died after their vehicle was swept away by a rain-swollen creek.
• ▪In November 2015, four soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise near Fort Hood.

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