4 dead, including child, after helicopter crashes into radio tower in ...

21 Oct 2024

Austin American-Statesman

4 dead including child after helicopter crashes into radio tower in

Multiple agencies are investigating Sunday night's crash in Houston, which resulted in the deaths of four people, including a minor, officials say.

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Helicopter crashes into radio tower in Houston

The moment a helicopter crashed into a radio tower in Houston was caught by a security camera.

Four people are dead, including a child, after a helicopter crashed into a radio tower in Houston Sunday night, according to authorities.

"This is a tragic event tonight," Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said at a press conference on Sunday night. "A tragic loss of life."

The private helicopter, a Robinson R44, crashed into a radio tower Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. Four people were onboard the craft when it crashed.

The crash happened just before 8 p.m., according to a post by the Houston Fire Department on X.

All four people onboard the craft were killed, said Diaz. The identities of the victims had not been made public as of Monday morning.

Helicopter crash being investigated

The aircraft had taken off from Ellington Airport, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire. The crash then occurred around 17 miles northwest near North Ennis Street and Engelke Street.

The FAA, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Houston Fire Department are investigating the crash, said Houston Fire Department Chief Thomas Muñoz.

The NTSB will lead the investigation, according to the FAA.

USA TODAY reached out to all the agencies involved for more information.

No other structures or homes were damaged in the crash, though the mayor reported that some nearby homes had lost power. By 9:30 p.m., the fire caused by the crash had been put out.

"The residents are secure and safe, but we have a terrible accident scene," Whitmire said.

CCTV footage shows moment helicopter crashes into radio tower

Security camera footage from a nearby resident's house in Houston, Texas shows the moment of helicopter crash that killed four people.

What we know so far

Multiple fatalities were confirmed by Diaz. Four people are dead, including a minor.
The crash occurred Sunday night at 7:54 p.m.
The helicopter took off from Ellington Airport. Its planned destination is unknown.

MAP: Houston helicopter crash site, KQUE-FM Houston

Chief: Don't touch pieces of aircraft

Diaz asks that people not touch any pieces of the aircraft or shrapnel from the crash and instead call 911 to notify the fire or police departments.

"Let us know where it is if you see it in the community," said Diaz. "It will be a large investigation because of the expanse of the accident."

Large explosion was a 'fireball out of the air'

When the crash happened, Houston Fire Department's Station 17 "heard a loud explosion," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire at the press conference. "Immediately, 911 was lighting up."

The explosion was like a "fireball out of the air," said the mayor.

Residents in the area are safe, but the helicopter and tower were "destroyed." Despite the loss of life, Whitmire said the city was "fortunate" the explosion had not been worse. While working to put out the fire, first responders found a gas tank near the crash site.

"In footage taken in the aftermath, authorities are depicted urging onlookers to "In footage taken in the aftermath, authorities are depicted urging onlookers to "get out of the way," citing "a propane tank nearby."