Full Breakdown
Two Soldiers Killed in Fort Hood Apache Helicopter Crash Near Salado, Texas
8/13/2026, 1:57:22 AM
Core Event
On August 12 an U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood crashed in a field south of Salado, Texas, about 50 miles north of Austin. The two service members aboard were pronounced dead at the scene, and no structures were struck.
Timeline
- ?1:30 p.m. – The Bell County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls reporting a helicopter crash.
- 1:34 p.m. – Sheriff’s Office public-information officer Cliff Coleman confirmed the aircraft was an Apache.
- 1:35 p.m. – The crash occurred, according to multiple agencies.
- 2:30 p.m. – A Bell County justice of the peace pronounced the occupants dead.
- Evening – The Texas A&M Forest Service provided updates on the wildfire’s size and containment (see Data & Statistics).
Data & Statistics
- Fatalities: Two soldiers; names are being withheld until next-of-kin notification (Bell County Sheriff’s Office).
- Aircraft: AH-64 Apache, a twin-engine, four-blade attack helicopter that seats a pilot in the rear cockpit and a co-pilot/gunner in the front (U.S. Army).
- Fire impact:
- CNN reported the blaze had burned about 100 acres and was 45 % contained by 5 p.m. local time.
- UPI later reported the fire covered roughly 155 acres and was 85 % contained by 6:30 p.m. (Texas A&M Forest Service).
- Road and evacuations: Farm-to-Market Road 2843 was closed; residents south of the road were ordered to evacuate while authorities directed drivers to use alternate routes (Bell County Sheriff’s Office).
Official Statements & Responses
- Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said the Army’s immediate priority was securing the site and supporting response efforts, and expressed sympathy for the families.
- **Texas Gov.
- Fort Hood’s Criminal Investigation Division opened an investigation; the Army indicated the helicopter was on a routine training flight when it went down.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local fire departments from Salado, Jarrell, Eastside, and Westside responded, describing the blaze as “out of control” upon arrival. The fire was later reported as largely contained, and evacuation orders were lifted once the area was deemed safe.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Fire size and containment differ between sources: CNN cited 100 acres at 45 % containment, while UPI cited 155 acres at 85 % containment. No subsequent clarification has been issued.
- The cause of the crash and the helicopter’s exact flight path remain undisclosed pending the ongoing investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” — Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven
- “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time,” — Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven
- “You could tell it was a violent crash,” — Cliff Coleman, sheriff's office spokesman
- “Join Cecilia and me in prayer for their families and the entire Fort Hood community,” — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
Why It Matters
The crash highlights the inherent risks of routine military aviation training and the coordinated response required among federal, state, and local agencies. It also adds to Fort Hood’s record of aviation incidents, recalling the 2015 Black Hawk crash that killed four soldiers and the 2016 vehicle-sweep tragedy that claimed nine lives.
