US Army Helicopter Crashes Rise to Near-Record Levels

The U.S. Army is experiencing a worrying increase in crashes involving its AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, with five major crashes reported since October, according to an analysis of military accident data by CNN.

The Apache fleet, consisting of roughly 820 to 840 helicopters, has been operated by the Army since 2011. The aircraft is primarily used for destroying enemy armour, providing close air support and conducting armed reconnaissance.

According to the analysis, the Apache crash rate has reached about 6.24 major crashes per 100,000 flight hours this year. Internal safety messages cited by CNN, but not independently verified by Military.com, reportedly identified problems involving the helicopters’ transmission, electrical power and hydraulic systems. Failures in these systems can cause serious flight-control problems.

The situation was even worse in Fiscal Year 2024, when the Army recorded nine major Apache crashes — a rate of 7.02 crashes per 100,000 flight hours, the highest annual figure since the current Apache model was introduced.

Following the 2024 crashes, the Army introduced additional safety training, attributing the incidents largely to human error and limited pilot experience in responding to operational demands following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Fatal Texas Crash

The latest major Apache accident occurred on August 12 near Salado, Texas, about 30 miles southeast of Fort Hood.

Both pilots aboard the helicopter were killed. They were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Omstead, 25, both members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

The Army temporarily suspended AH-64 training flights following the crash. Training operations resumed the following Wednesday after officials reviewed safety procedures and flight operations.

The cause of the Texas crash remains under investigation.

The increase in Apache accidents comes amid other recent U.S. military aviation incidents, including the August 20 crash of a Cessna 441 charter aircraft in western Alaska, which killed eight people.

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