The AH-64 Apache is the US Army’s most dangerous helicopter, accounting for more than half of all “Class A” flight mishaps in FY2024.

Two United States Army soldiers were killed on Wednesday when their AH-64E Apache attack helicopter crashed in Soldado, Texas, near Fort Hood. The deceased service members are being transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center on the base, and their names were being withheld pending the notification of families.

Fort Hood announced that personnel were working in coordination with local first responders.

Reports that the two-seater attack helicopter had crashed came in at around 1:34 pm local time, and both crewmembers were pronounced dead at 2:30 pm.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time,” said Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, 1st Cavalry Division acting commanding general, in an Army media release on Wednesday evening.

Although the crash sparked a brush fire that covered about 155 acres, no civilian buildings or infrastructure was damaged, Bell County officials confirmed. The fire was largely contained by evening.

The AH-64 Apache Helicopter’s Specifications

• Year Introduced: 1986 (initial variant) 2011 (AH-64E “Guardian,” newest variant)
• Number Built: ~2,400 (all variants); ~800 AH-64Es built or converted worldwide
• Length: 58 ft 2 in (17.73 m)
• Rotor Diameter: 48 ft (14.63 m)
• Weight (MTOW): 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)
• Engines: Two General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshafts (~1,994 shp each)
• Top Speed: ~182 knots (~210 mph, 337 km/h)
• Range: ~260 nautical miles (~300 mi, 480 km); ~2.5 hours’ endurance (extendable with auxiliary tanks)
• Service Ceiling: ~21,000 ft (6,400 m)
• Armament:
  • M230 30mm chain gun
  • Up to 16× AGM-114 Hellfire or AGM-179 JAGM missiles
  • 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra or APKWS guided rockets
  • Optional Stinger/AIM-92 or Sidewinder AAMs (limited)
• Crew: 2 (pilot and co-pilot/gunner, in tandem seating)

Wednesday’s Crash Is the Latest Mishap Involving the Apache

This is the first deadly crash of an AH-64 this year, but the US Army’s fleet has experienced heightened scrutiny following a series of serious incidents.

In April 2023, two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment based at Fort Wainwright, collided during a training flight near Healy, Alaska, resulting in the death of three servicemembers and injuries to a fourth. That incident prompted the US Army to implement a safety stand-down for aviation units.

Less than a year later, in February 2024, an AH-64 from the Mississippi Army National Guard crashed into a wooded area near Booneville, Mississippi, during a routine training flight, killing both pilots.

During fiscal year 2024 (FY24), Apaches accounted for nine of the United States Army’s 17 Class A flight mishaps, the Pentagon’s most serious classification of flight incidents either resulting in death or severe injury or significant financial loss. Over a four-year period, the AH-64 fleet logged 17 serious incidents, far outpacing other rotary-wing platforms including the UH-60 Black Hawk.

According to recent data, the serious incident rate for the Apaches reached 4.41 per 100,000 flight hours, with US Army safety data indicating that the vast majority of the major mishaps were attributed to human errors rather than mechanical failure.

That is a reminder why the crews of two AH-64s were grounded after they conducted an unauthorized “flyby” of the residence of popular musician Kid Rock outside Nashville, Tennessee, back in April. As previously reported, Rock was seen in a viral video saluting the helicopters that flew overhead his home. (Following that stunt, the US Army opened an investigation into the pilots, but Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on X that he had suspended it.)

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

The post Two US Army Soldiers Killed in Apache Helicopter Crash—Was Human Error to Blame? appeared first on The National Interest.