Archive · 13 Aug 2026
US Army Apache Helicopter Crashes in Texas, Killing Two Soldiers
An Apache is a powerful Army helicopter used by soldiers who fly on missions.
On Wednesday, August 12, one of these Apache helicopters crashed in Texas.
Sadly, the two soldiers flying inside the helicopter did not survive.
The helicopter belonged to an Army base called Fort Hood.
It came down near a small town named Salado, not far from the city of Austin.
Right now, people are still trying to learn exactly why the helicopter crashed.
Army workers and local helpers are at the place where it happened to investigate.
The names of the two soldiers are being kept private so their families can be told first.
Nobody else on the ground was hurt, and no buildings were damaged.
Investigators want to understand what went wrong so they can help keep future flights safe.
An AH-64E Apache attack helicopter assigned to Fort Hood crashed near Salado, Texas, on Wednesday (Aug 12), killing both soldiers on board.
Fort Hood confirmed the two soldiers' deaths; their identities are being withheld until their families have been notified.
The helicopter went down about 80 miles (130 km) north of Austin, with no other injuries or ground damage immediately reported.
Military personnel and local emergency responders remain at the crash site as the investigation into the cause continues.
The crash follows other recent US military aviation incidents, including a B-52 bomber crash in California and an August 4 Marine One near-miss over Washington.
- Who
- Two US Army soldiers aboard the AH-64E Apache (identities withheld until families are notified)
- What
- An Army Apache attack helicopter crashed, killing both soldiers on board
- When
- Wednesday, August 12
- Where
- Near Salado, Texas, about 80 miles (130 km) north of Austin
- Why
- The cause is under investigation; officials have not disclosed the helicopter's mission
- Aircraft
- AH-64E Apache attack helicopter
- Unit
- Assigned to Fort Hood
- Crash location
- Near Salado, Texas, ~80 miles (130 km) north of Austin
- Date
- Wednesday, August 12
- Casualties
- Two soldiers confirmed deceased
- Investigation
- Ongoing; mission and soldiers' identities not disclosed
- Recent incident
- B-52 bomber crashed in California about two months earlier, killing all eight on board
- Recent incident
- Marine One 'loss of separation' near-miss over Washington on August 4; NTSB investigating