Helicopter crashes into Houston radio tower, killing 4, including child, officials say

www.khou.com ^ | October 21, 2024 | Lupita Villarrea

[Red Badger]

HOUSTON — A helicopter crashed into a radio tower, killing multiple people, including a child, near downtown Houston Sunday night, according to the Houston Fire Department.

HFD received a report around 7:55 p.m. of the crash near Engelke Street near Ennis Street and Navigation Boulevard, causing the fire to break out.

What we know right now Crash happened around 7:55 p.m. near Engelke Street near Ennis Street in the Second Ward Four people, including a child, on board the R44 aircraft died in the crash, their identities have not been released The helicopter was coming from Ellington Airport, but its destination remains unclear If you find debris, don’t touch it and call 911 The FAA, NTSB, HFD, and HPD are investigating the crash FAA noted that the radio tower's lights had been reported as inoperable on Oct. 16 Houston Mayor John Whitmire, HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz, HPD Chief Noe Diaz, and DPS gathered for a news conference following the crash. Mayor Whitmire said the HFD was there within minutes.

“We got a fire station, 17, one of our major stations a block away,” he said. “They heard the explosion and responded. First ones on the scene were Houston fire to secure the area, make sure considerations for electricity, gas, and other provisions were taken care of. “

Officials confirmed all four people on the helicopter, including a child, died in the crash. Their names and ages have not been released. According to Diaz, family members haven't been notified yet.

"This is a tragic event tonight. A tragic loss of life," Diaz said.

The helicopter was an R44 private aircraft coming from Ellington Airport, about 17 miles from the crash site. At this point, it's not clear where the helicopter was going.

[zipper]

I read that if they had climbed, because of airspace restrictions in that area above them, they would have had to declare an emergency. They were under visual rules at the time.

But no pilot wants to do that - it jeopardizes your license and injures your pride. The pilot may not have even considered climbing - or instead took what could be characterized as a calculated risk, and lost.