Two Army Pilots Killed in Apache Helicopter Crash Near Fort Hood in Texas

Two Army Pilots Killed in Apache Helicopter Crash Near Fort Hood in Texas

Tragedy Near Fort Hood: 2 Army Pilots Killed in Apache Helicopter Crash

Two U.S. Army pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, have been identified after an AH-64E Apache helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas, during a training-related flight.

Two U.S. Army pilots have been identified after an AH-64E Apache helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas, in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of both service members.

The soldiers were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25. Both were assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.

The helicopter went down on Wednesday, August 12, during a maintenance test flight near Salado, a community located roughly 30 miles from Fort Hood. The crash triggered a large fire in the surrounding field and prompted an extensive emergency response.

The U.S. Army has not released a definitive cause of the crash. A specialized safety investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center has arrived to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Two Army pilots killed in Texas helicopter crash

According to military officials, Huey and Olmstead were the only two people aboard the Apache helicopter when it crashed.

The Bell County Sheriff's Office received reports of the crash at approximately 1:34 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, where the aircraft had crashed into a grassy field and ignited a fire.

The two soldiers were pronounced dead at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Authorities subsequently worked to secure the crash site while military investigators began preparations for a formal safety investigation.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Fort Hood community and the wider U.S. Army, with military leaders expressing condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the two soldiers.

Who were Deontre Huey and Seth Olmstead?

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, was from Killeen, Texas, and had served in the U.S. Army since 2014.

Military officials said Huey initially entered the Army as a motor transport operator before eventually serving as an Army aviation warrant officer. He had been assigned to his unit since February 2022.

Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25, was from Belton, Texas. He joined the Army in 2023 as a warrant officer candidate and was assigned to the unit in October 2025.

Both soldiers were assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

Their deaths represent a significant loss for their military unit and the Fort Hood community.

Fort Hood commander offers condolences

Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, the III Armored Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, expressed sympathy to the families of the fallen soldiers.

“Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Soldiers we lost Wednesday,” Admiral said.

He emphasized that the Army operates as a close-knit community and that the tragedy would be felt throughout the military formation and surrounding community.

Military officials also said resources were being made available to support the affected families and soldiers during the difficult period following the crash.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also offered condolences to the families and the Fort Hood community following the deaths.

What happened to the Apache helicopter?

The aircraft involved was an AH-64E Apache, one of the U.S. Army's principal attack helicopters.

The aircraft was conducting a maintenance test flight when it experienced what military officials described as a mishap. The helicopter subsequently crashed into a field near Salado.

The impact caused a significant fire, which required a response from emergency services and local authorities. The fire was later brought under control.

Officials have not announced whether mechanical failure, human factors, weather, operational conditions or another issue contributed to the accident.

Until investigators complete their work, any claim about the exact cause would be speculation.

Army launches investigation

The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center has taken responsibility for the safety investigation.

Investigators will examine the aircraft, available flight information, maintenance records, operational procedures and other evidence that could help establish what happened before the crash.

The investigation is expected to take time, and authorities have not yet provided a final explanation for the accident.

The Army has also temporarily suspended Apache helicopter training missions following the crash while officials work to better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Army said the stand-down would remain in place until there is a clearer understanding of the accident's root cause.

Aviation safety expert John Cox welcomed the decision, describing the temporary halt as a proactive approach to aviation safety.

Why the investigation matters

Military aviation involves complex aircraft, demanding training environments and highly specialized operations. Safety investigations following accidents are therefore critical to identifying potential risks and preventing similar incidents.

The Apache has been an important part of U.S. Army aviation for decades. The aircraft is designed for missions including armed reconnaissance, close air support and other battlefield operations.

According to the Associated Press, more than 5,000 Apaches have been deployed by the U.S. military and its allies over the decades.

The Texas crash also comes amid continuing scrutiny of military aviation safety following other serious aviation accidents.

The National Transportation Safety Board previously criticized aspects of Army aviation safety culture during its investigation into the January 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger aircraft near Washington, D.C. That accident killed 67 people.

However, officials have not indicated that the Salado crash is connected to any previous aviation accident.

A community mourns

The deaths of Huey and Olmstead have affected not only their fellow soldiers but also communities in Central Texas.

Both men were based in the region, with Huey from Killeen and Olmstead from Belton. Their service was part of the broader military community surrounding Fort Hood.

For their colleagues, the crash represents the loss of two fellow service members who were carrying out duties connected to Army aviation.

Military officials have urged support for the affected families and soldiers as the investigation continues.

What happens next?

The immediate priority is determining what caused the Apache to crash.

Investigators will gather and analyze evidence before reaching conclusions. The Army's temporary pause on Apache training operations also gives officials an opportunity to assess procedures and determine whether additional safety measures are necessary.

Until an official investigation is completed, the precise circumstances leading to the crash remain unknown.

The Army's investigation could eventually provide answers about the aircraft's condition, the flight operation and other factors involved in the accident.

For now, however, the focus remains on remembering the two soldiers who lost their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the Army pilots killed in the Texas helicopter crash?

The soldiers were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25. Both were assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.

Where did the Apache helicopter crash?

The AH-64E Apache crashed in a field near Salado, Texas, approximately 30 miles from Fort Hood.

When did the helicopter crash?

The crash occurred on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during a maintenance test flight. Authorities received reports of the incident at approximately 1:34 p.m. local time.

How many people were aboard the helicopter?

The two soldiers were the only people aboard the aircraft, according to the Army. Both were killed in the crash.

What type of helicopter crashed?

The aircraft was an AH-64E Apache, a major attack helicopter operated by the U.S. Army.

What caused the Apache crash?

The official cause has not yet been determined. A U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center safety investigation is underway.

Was there a fire after the crash?

Yes. The helicopter crashed into a field and sparked a significant fire. Emergency responders worked to contain the blaze.

Has the U.S. Army suspended Apache training flights?

Yes. The Army temporarily halted Apache helicopter training missions following the crash while investigators work to understand the root cause of the accident.

What unit did the two soldiers serve with?

Huey and Olmstead served with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

What happens to the investigation now?

A safety investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is examining the crash. Investigators will work to establish the circumstances and determine the cause before issuing official findings.

The deaths of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead have left the Fort Hood and U.S. Army communities mourning two service members lost during an aviation operation.

As investigators work to determine what happened near Salado, officials have emphasized support for the soldiers' families and colleagues.

The temporary suspension of Apache training missions underscores the seriousness with which the Army is treating the incident.

For now, the cause of the crash remains under investigation, and further details are expected as authorities complete their work.

This story will be updated when additional verified information is released by military or local authorities.

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