The lighting on a radio tower in Houston reportedly failed just days before a helicopter collided with it on Sunday, resulting in a deadly explosion that claimed the lives of four individuals. The incident caused the tower to collapse, scattering debris across the surrounding neighborhood.
According to officials and open-source data, the incident occurred around 8 p.m. when the helicopter, which was on an air tour flight, was flying at an altitude of 600 feet and collided with the 1,000-foot tower.
The tower’s lights had been reported as “unserviceable” until the end of the month, based on a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory to pilots released just days prior. FAA guidelines state that towers exceeding 200 feet in height should typically be marked and/or illuminated, and any outages in tower lighting should be addressed promptly.
Towers and their supporting guy wires present significant hazards for helicopters, particularly at night when they are harder to see. Surveillance footage of the crash indicates that while there was at least one flashing light at the very top, the rest of the tower lacked illumination.
The collision led to a massive explosion near Engelke and North Ennis Streets, which could be heard from a fire station almost half a mile away, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire during a late-night conference.
All four passengers, including a child, aboard the privately owned Robinson R44 helicopter were killed, as confirmed by Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz and federal officials. The pilot and three passengers were confirmed deceased by the FAA.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are scheduled to evaluate and recover the helicopter from the crash site. Meanwhile, law enforcement is scouring the area for debris, with the Houston Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Division conducting a three-dimensional scan of the site to assist the NTSB and FAA.
The helicopter reportedly departed from Ellington Airport, located approximately 17 miles south of the crash site, though its intended destination remains unknown. The flight was categorized as a “sightseeing” venture, and according to the FAA, the helicopter is registered to Porter Equipment Holdings LLC of Magnolia, Texas.
Witness accounts and video footage depict the helicopter approaching the tower before colliding and exploding, illuminating the night sky. Fire officials were seen urging onlookers to maintain a safe distance due to the ongoing fire and the presence of a nearby gas tank.
“This is a tragic event tonight. It’s a tragic loss of life,” stated Diaz. Mayor Whitmire added that the residents are safe, but the scene is tragic.
Photos from the fire department illustrate the wrecked tower strewn across a clearing adjacent to a row of homes. Authorities have instructed residents who find any human remains at the crash site to leave them untouched and report them to the proper authorities.
The mayor expressed relief that the explosion did not result in further devastation, particularly given the proximity of a gas tank.
Witness Manuel Arciniega described the moment of the crash, recalling how he saw the tower collapse after being alerted by a friend.
Officials anticipate a comprehensive investigation due to the scale of the accident. Residents who encounter helicopter debris are advised to avoid handling it and to report it to fire or police personnel.