A helicopter crashed into a radio tower in Houston’s Second Ward on Sunday, killing four people, including a child, according to officials. The incident took place shortly before 8 p.m. Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz and federal officials further confirmed the victims were the pilot and three passengers. The helicopter was a privately owned Robinson R44, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it had taken off from Ellington Airport, located about 17 miles south of where the crash occurred.
Impact on the Ground
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the helicopter was on an air tour flight when it crashed. All four people onboard died, but fortunately, no one on the ground was hurt. The radio tower was the only structure affected, and no homes were damaged. However, the crash sparked a fire that spread across two to three blocks.
However, the Houston Fire Department quickly put out the flames. Houston police officer Lt. Jonathan French expressed relief that no one on the ground was injured. He added, “This could have been much worse.”
Houston police chief Noe Diaz stated, “It will be a large investigation because of the expanse of the accident.” Also, he further advised residents not to touch any helicopter debris they might come across and to notify the fire department or police officials immediately.
Investigation Status
The exact cause of the crash is still unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board had planned to visit the crash site on Monday to investigate, according to air safety investigator Brian Rutt. Also, law enforcement officers search the area for debris. Moreover, the Houston Police Department’s vehicular crimes division uses a 3D scan to map out the 4-acre crash site, which will be shared with both the NTSB and the FAA, Lt. Jonathan French said during a news conference.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Reaction
According to CNN reports, Lawrence Gurule was watching a football game on Sunday night when he heard a loud noise that sounded like a bomb.
“I ran outside and looked up and I could see smoke. The tower was gone,” he said.
Also, another eyewitness, Manuel Arciniega, described to the Click 2 Houston.com website, “My buddy behind me told me to look up in the sky, and I just saw the cell tower crumbling down.”
Safety and Prevention Issues
Towers and wires are especially dangerous for helicopters, which fly lower and may struggle to see these obstacles at night. According to officials, the radio tower was 1,000 feet, but the helicopter operating as an air tour flight flew 600 feet when it crashed into the tower. An FAA notice issued the previous Thursday revealed that the tower’s lights were “unserviceable” until the end of this month. However, according to FAA rules from 2020, towers taller than 200 feet should be marked or lighted, and any light outages should be fixed as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The Helicopter Crash in Houston tragically claimed four lives, including a child, after hitting a radio tower. Investigations are underway to determine the cause, with authorities emphasizing the tower’s unserviceable lights. Thankfully, no one on the ground was harmed, but the crash ignited a fire over several blocks. Safety concerns about towers and nighttime flights highlight the importance of preventive measures for future air tour flights.
Also read;
