Four individuals, including a child, have lost their lives following a helicopter crash into a radio tower in Houston on Sunday night, according to authorities.
Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz expressed his condolences during a news conference, calling it “a tragic event” and noting “a tragic loss of life.”
The private helicopter, identified as a Robinson R44, collided with a radio tower, as stated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There were four people aboard at the time of the incident.
The crash occurred just before 8 p.m., as reported by the Houston Fire Department on social media.
All four occupants of the helicopter were confirmed dead, with their identities not yet disclosed as of Monday morning.
Investigations Underway
The helicopter had taken off from Ellington Airport, noted Houston Mayor John Whitmire. The crash happened approximately 17 miles northwest of the airport near North Ennis and Engelke streets.
An investigation is being conducted by multiple agencies, including the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Houston Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Houston Fire Department. The NTSB will lead the investigation, according to the FAA.
USA TODAY has requested additional information from all involved agencies.
While no other buildings were damaged, the mayor reported that some nearby homes experienced power outages. The fire resulting from the crash was extinguished by 9:30 p.m.
“The residents are secure and safe, but we have a terrible accident scene,” Whitmire remarked.
Details of the Incident
The identities of the deceased have not been released, but multiple fatalities were confirmed by Chief Diaz. The helicopter took off from Ellington Airport, and its intended destination remains unknown.
Diaz urged the public not to handle any debris from the crash but instead to contact 911 to notify the Fire or Police Department about any findings. “Let us know where it is if you see it in the community,” he requested, noting that the investigation would be extensive.
Eyewitness accounts describe a massive explosion. According to Mayor Whitmire, Houston Fire Station 17 “heard a loud explosion,” and soon afterwards, 911 calls surged. He characterized the explosion as akin to a “fireball out of the air.”
While emphasizing that residents are safe, Whitmire stated the helicopter and tower were completely destroyed and, despite the fatalities, expressed gratitude that the situation was not worse. First responders discovered a gas tank in the vicinity while battling the fire.
In related news, KHOU 11 reported that the radio tower’s lights had been nonfunctional since October 16.