An AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed in Alabama July 7 during a training mission, killing the flight instructor aboard. The instructor has not yet been publicly identified.
The crash also injured the student pilot (also not yet identified) but the student survived. He or she was treated at a hospital and released.
According to Dale County Coroner John Cawley, the chopper was on a routine flight-training mission when the accident occurred.
Major General Clair A. Gill of the Army’s Aviation Center for Excellence issued a statement to news media saying the Army’s “primary concern” is for the health and safety of the injured student, and to show “care and concern” for the family of the instructor pilot who was killed.
The statement continued, saying the accident was still under investigation and there was no word yet on what may have contributed to the fatal crash. Investigations of fatal air crashes, whether civilian or military, can often take months or years to reach a conclusion. Most crashes involve a combination of factors that may include weather, a mechanical fault, substandard maintenance, pilot or ground control errors, and many others. It is rare for just one single factor to be responsible for aviation mishaps.
Alabama lawmakers expressed their sorrow and concern on social media. State Representative Barry Moore said both he and his wife were “heartbroken” to hear about the tragedy. Moore said his family was praying for a quick recovery for the student pilot, and for comfort to be given to the family of the dead instructor.
State Senator Katie Britt said the tragedy was a “heartbreaking loss” for the whole state. She also sent her best wishes to the family of the decedent, and to the injured student, as well as to the “entire community” at Fort Novosel.
Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama, a frequent critic of the Democrats and the Biden administration in particular, also offered condolences. He asked everyone to join him in prayer for the family of the dead helicopter pilot.
