# U.S. Army Apache helicopter crash in Texas > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-army-apache-helicopter-crash-in-texas > Updated: 2026-08-14T16:03:50.000Z. Sources: 123. Developments: 3. An AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood crashed in a field near Salado, Texas, during a maintenance test flight on Wednesday afternoon. The accident resulted in the deaths of two pilots assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25. Both pilots were members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. The crash ignited a grass fire that burned approximately 155 acres, leading to the evacuation of nearby residences and the closure of Farm to Market Road 2843. Authorities confirmed the aircraft did not strike any buildings. In response to the incident, the U.S. Army has temporarily halted all AH-64 Apache training missions. This training stand-down is expected to remain in effect until the Army achieves a better understanding of the accident. While the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division was initially involved, a safety investigation team from the Army Combat Readiness Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, is now leading the inquiry to determine the root cause of the mishap. The incident has drawn international attention, specifically in India, where the Indian Air Force also operates the AH-64E Apache variant. ## Claims - The Army Combat Readiness Center is leading the safety investigation into the incident. (disputed by 14 sources) - The Army's Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. (disputed by 9 sources) - The AH-64 Apache crash occurred during a maintenance test flight. (disputed by 9 sources) - The helicopter was conducting a routine training flight at the time of the accident. (disputed by 8 sources) - The helicopter crash sparked a wildfire covering approximately 155 acres. (disputed by 4 sources) - The crash ignited a grass fire that burned between 77 and 100 acres. (disputed by 3 sources) - Two people on board the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene. (corroborated by 27 sources) - The crashed aircraft was an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The helicopter did not strike any homes, buildings, or other people. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The crash prompted evacuations of nearby residences. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The U.S. Army has ordered a temporary suspension of all AH-64 Apache training flight operations. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The crash occurred in a field south of Salado in Bell County, Texas, around 1:30 p.m. local time. (corroborated by 14 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-14: U.S. Army grounds Apache flights after fatal Texas crash The U.S. Army has grounded all AH-64 Apache training flights following a fatal crash near Fort Hood, Texas, that killed two pilots and sparked a 155-acre wildfire. An investigation is underway. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-army-identifies-two-pilots-killed-in-texas-apache-crash ### 2026-08-12: Army Apache helicopter crashes in Texas, killing two soldiers Two U.S. Army soldiers died after an AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed in a field near Salado, Texas, sparking a large grass fire and prompting local evacuations. An investigation is underway. 90 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-pilots-killed-in-military-helicopter-crash-in-central-texas ### 2026-08-11: Antipaxoi boat collision and Texas Apache helicopter crash reported A tourist boat collision in Antipaxoi, Greece, left three people hospitalized for precaution, while a U.S. Army Apache helicopter crash in Texas killed two pilots during a training flight. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antipaxoi-tourist-boat-collision-results-in-precautionary-medical-checks --- Cite as: U.S. Army Apache helicopter crash in Texas. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-army-apache-helicopter-crash-in-texas