On 27 April 2023, two AH-64 Apache helicopters belonging to the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, at Fort Wainwright, collided near Healy, Alaska, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometres) south of Fairbanks, when returning from an exercise mission.[1] The incident resulted in three military personnel killed with another one injured,[1] and happened barely one month after two Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a routine training operation close to the Kentucky-Tennessee line, killing nine troops. The two fatal incidents led to the US Army halting all its aircraft, with the exception of those on "critical missions".[2]
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 April 2023 |
| Summary | Mid-air collision; under investigation |
| Site | Healy, Alaska, United States |
| Total fatalities | 3 |
| Total injuries | 1 |
| Total survivors | 1 |
 An AH-64 Apache from the U.S. Army's 101st Aviation Regiment in Iraq | |
The incident
editThe two AH-64 Apache helicopters which were with the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, were moving from a mission in the Donnelly Training Area to Fort Wainwright on 27 April 2023, when they collided at 1:39 pm (local time). The incident took place roughly 50 miles (80 kilometres) east of Healy.[3]
Two of the four troops were pronounced dead at the incident scene, while a third died en route to a Fairbanks hospital. The Army stated that the event was being investigated, and withheld the identities of the killed individuals until their relatives could be notified.[1]
Aftermath
editThe United States Army indicated one day after the incident that it had suspended aviation units for training after 12 troops died in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky over the previous month. According to the army notification, the action halts all Army aviators, excluding those engaging in crucial missions, until they finish the necessary training.[3]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c Albeck-Ripka, Livia (28 April 2023). "Two U.S. Army helicopters crash in Alaska, killing 3 soldiers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Matza, Max (29 April 2023). "US Army grounds its aircraft after recent mid-air collisions". BBC News. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ a b Bellisle, Martha (30 April 2023). "Army identifies 3 soldiers killed in Alaska helicopter crash". AP NEWS. Retrieved 30 April 2023.