BREAKING NEWS: At least two are killed after a Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crashes onto the Alabama highway and explodes in a massive fireball
- A UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter has crashed on an Alabama highway
- At least two people were killed in a Tennessee National Guard helicopter
- The accident happened shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday – no car was hit
At least two people have been killed after a Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crashed into a fireball on an Alabama freeway.
The UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter “exploded” into a giant fireball on Highway 53 near Harvest around 3 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Officials have since confirmed at least two people have died, although it remains unclear how many other people might have been on board when the fatal clash occurred.
The plane hit the ground in the middle of Highway 53 near Burwell Road in the town of Harvest about half an hour northwest of Huntsville.
Crime scene footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the crash site. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Huntsville Emergency Medical Services said there were no survivors. It is unclear where the helicopter in question was based and who was on board.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the helicopter “exploded on impact and was on fire” when firefighters arrived, adding, “It’s a pile of debris.”
A Tennessee National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter “exploded” in a giant fireball on an Alabama highway, leaving no survivors, officials say
For the US military, the primary user of the Black Hawk helicopter is the Army, with approximately 1,600 to 1,700 different variants in service. A similar helicopter is shown in flight here
reached out to the Tennessee National Guard for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
On its website, the Tennessee National Guard states its state mission as: “To provide the Governor of Tennessee with units capable of conducting missions consistent with Tennessee’s Contingency Plan.”
They added their purpose is: “To maintain an efficient, well-trained, well-equipped, and responsive military and civilian state and national Emergency Response Force, ready to respond to any state or federal mission.”
Redstone Arsenal is a United States Army post and census-designated location adjacent to Huntsville, Madison County.
Executives at the post released a statement on Facebook saying they were aware of the incident.
“Redstone Arsenal executives are aware of reports of a helicopter incident near Highway 53 in Huntsville,” the statement said.
“First responders are on site and Redstone Arsenal fully supports local authorities with their active investigation.
“Initial investigations have determined that the incident is not linked to any Redstone Arsenal assets and we will continue to support the community authorities as the situation evolves.”
The fatal accident is likely to result in “severe delays” and police have asked motorists to find alternative routes due to a motorway closure.
Alabama Highway 53 south of Jeff Road remains closed to traffic, according to the MCSO, as does between Douglas Road and Alabama 53.
For the US military, the primary user of the Black Hawk helicopter is the Army, with approximately 1,600 to 1,700 different variants in service.
Video footage of the incident, which took place around 3 p.m. Wednesday, shows the helicopter crashing onto the highway
It is unclear where the helicopter in question was based, who was on board and how many people died. While bystanders saw large plumes of black smoke billow out from the site
Multiple emergency response teams responded to the military helicopter crash near Highway 53 and Burwell Road. Motorists were asked to take alternative routes because of a road closure
The Navy has approximately 750 Black Hawk variants (mostly SH-60 or MH-60 Seahawks), while the Air Force has just over 100 HH-60 Pave Hawks.
The Coast Guard has approximately 40 HH-65 Pave Hawks and the Marine Corps has 8 VH-60 White Hawks.
According to Military.com, ‘The basic crew for the UH-60A consists of three: pilot, co-pilot and crew chief.’
“The A model was designed to carry 11 combat troops in addition to a crew of three.”