TWO pilots have been killed in a military helicopter crash after the chopper slammed into a field and burst into flames.
The deadly crash sparked a huge wildfire in Texas as dry grass quickly caught light, with firefighters battling the blaze for hours.
The burning wreck of the helicopter after it slammed into a Texas field, killing two Credit: KWTX
An US Army AH-64D Apache helicopter (Stock) Credit: AFP
Scorched earth and debris at the scene
The crash sparked a huge wildfire
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was based at the nearby US Army base of Fort Hood, the military said.
It crashed near the village of Salado, around 60miles north of Austin.
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Emergency responders arrived to a huge blaze engulfing the chopper.
Officers had rushed to the scene at around 1.33pm after receiving reports about the wreckage.
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Two minutes later, both pilots onboard were declared dead.
Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cliff Coleman said when they arrived the huge fire was already “getting out of control very quickly”.
The crash sparked a huge blaze that engulfed 100 acres of landCredit: Refer to source
2 pilots dead after military helicopter slams into Central Texas field and catches fireCredit: Refer to source
He confirmed the chopper did not hit any structures or people as it fell out of the sky.
Coleman told reporters: “It crashed into a field, you could tell it was a violent crash.”
Dramatic photos showed the wreckage smoking as debris burnt in the dry grass.
A huge wildfire was sparked by the horror crash as the grass ignited, forcing locals to evacuate their homes.
The blaze tore through around 100 acres of land and took several hours to get under control.
Several local roads were closed as the inferno raged.
Acting commanding general at Fort Hood Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven told local news: “Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts.
“Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X: “Today, an Apache helicopter crashed in Bell County during Fort Hood operations, killing two members of our military.
“Join Cecilia and me in prayer for their families and the entire Fort Hood community. Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation,” the governor said in the post.
The identities of the pilots have not yet been released.
Officials launched an investigation into the accident.
