Officials reported a helicopter crash into a radio tower in Houston, Texas on Sunday night, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a child. The crash occurred in the Greater East End neighbourhood at 7:54 p.m., according to the Houston Fire Department. Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz stated that the private helicopter, carrying four people, either hit a cable from the tower or the tower itself.
Chief Diaz confirmed there were no ground casualties. It remains unclear if all four passengers on the helicopter perished. Officials have not disclosed the age of the deceased child. The crash caused a large fire, spanning two to three blocks, in a grass field after the radio tower collapsed. No ground structures were affected.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire described the incident as “tragic” but noted that it could have been worse, as a nearby gas tank and homes were not damaged. The mayor highlighted the fortunate positioning of the tower, stating, “The tower is surrounded by residents, and we were very fortunate it didn’t topple in one direction or another.” He added that the fireball was largely contained.
🚨🇺🇸#BREAKING | UPDATE
HOUSTON POLICE GIVE
PRESS CONFERENCE
THIS IS WHAT IS LEFT OF
THE HELICOPTER THAT
CRASHED INTO A RADIO TOWER IN HOUSTON TXIT WAS A PRIVATE HELICOPTER MULTIPLE FATALITIES UP TO FOUR PEOPLE HAVE DIED ⚠️🚨 pic.twitter.com/VdJJqBxHVp
— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) October 21, 2024
Residents near the crash site experienced power outages, though the number affected and the duration of the outages are unknown. Some residents reported that the crash felt like an earthquake, with one mentioning an explosion and flickering lights.
City council member Mario Castillo confirmed on social media platform X that the helicopter involved was a “private touring helicopter,” not one belonging to the Houston Police Department. The Federal Aviation Administration is leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AP News: A helicopter crashed in Houston’s Second Ward after hitting a radio tower, killing four, including a child, with officials investigating the cause and impact on the area.(read more)
- CBS News reports a helicopter crash near downtown Houston, killing four including a child, with authorities investigating the incident involving a privately-owned R44 helicopter.(read more)
- ABC News reports a helicopter crash in Houston, killing four, including a child, with the impact and fire affecting a radio tower, sparking a two-block blaze.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened in Houston involving a helicopter?
A helicopter crashed into a radio tower, causing multiple fatalities and a large fire.
When did the helicopter crash in Houston occur?
The crash occurred on Sunday night at 7:54 p.m.
Were there any casualties on the ground from the helicopter crash?
No, Chief Diaz confirmed there were no ground casualties.
What caused the fire after the helicopter crash?
The fire was caused by the radio tower collapsing after being hit by the helicopter.
Who is investigating the helicopter crash in Houston?
The Federal Aviation Administration is leading the investigation.