Four individuals, including a child, lost their lives when a helicopter collided with a radio tower in Houston on Sunday night, authorities reported.
Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz expressed deep sorrow at a news conference, stating, “This is a tragic event tonight. A tragic loss of life.”
The helicopter, identified as a Robinson R44, crashed into the tower, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration. There were four passengers on board at the time of the crash.
The incident took place shortly before 8 p.m., as noted by the Houston Fire Department on social media.
All four occupants of the helicopter were pronounced dead, with their identities not yet disclosed as of Monday morning.
Investigation Underway
Mayor John Whitmire indicated that the aircraft had departed from Ellington Airport and crashed approximately 17 miles northwest near the intersection of North Ennis and Engelke streets.
An investigation into the crash is being conducted by multiple agencies, including the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Houston Fire Department, with the NTSB leading the inquiry.
Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz relayed that all involved agencies have been contacted for further information.
No other buildings or residences were damaged in the incident, although some nearby homes experienced power outages. By 9:30 p.m., the fire ignited by the crash had been extinguished.
“The residents are secure and safe, but we have a terrible accident scene,” Mayor Whitmire stated.
Key Details About the Incident
Chief Diaz confirmed the fatalities, including a minor, stating that the crash occurred at 7:54 p.m. The helicopter’s destination after taking off from Ellington Airport remains unknown.
Diaz urged the public not to handle wreckage or debris from the crash and to contact emergency services instead. “Let us know where it is if you see it in the community,” he said. “It will be a large investigation because of the expanse of the accident.”
Witnesses described the crash as a significant explosion, with Whitmire noting that Houston Fire Station 17 “heard a loud explosion” and that 911 services were quickly inundated with calls. The mayor compared the explosion to a “fireball out of the air.”
While the surrounding residents were safe, both the helicopter and radio tower were destroyed. Whitmire remarked that the city was “fortunate” the incident was not more catastrophic, especially after responders discovered a gas tank near the crash site.
Prior to the incident, it was reported that the radio tower’s lights were not functioning as of October 16.