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// DOSSIER — us-army-resume-apache-helicopter-flights
US Army to Resume Apache Helicopter Flights Following Deadly Texas Crash
REL_TIME: 20 Aug 2026 22:12Z · LANG: EN
The U.S. Army is preparing to lift its temporary grounding of the AH-64 Apache helicopter fleet and resume training flights on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, following a deadly crash in Salado, Texas, on August 12, 2026. The crash, which occurred during a routine training and maintenance flight from Fort Hood, killed Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, and ignited a 155-acre wildfire. While the Army initially ordered a safety stand-down to investigate the root cause, an internal memo revealed the grounding would conclude on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. A U.S. official confirmed that investigators have already ruled out a previously identified transmission issue as a causal factor in this specific crash.
// Background
The AH-64 Apache is a highly advanced, heavily armed attack helicopter slated to remain in service until 2050. However, the fleet has faced recent safety challenges, including a transmission issue identified three months prior that could cause loss of tail rotor thrust, electrical power, and hydraulics. Additionally, Apaches are heavily utilized in active operations, including the war in Iran, though CENTCOM-deployed formations were exempted from this safety stand-down.
// Key Developments
- An AH-64E Apache attack helicopter crashed near Fort Hood in Salado, Texas, on August 12, 2026, killing two pilots.
- The deceased soldiers were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25.
- The crash sparked a 155-acre grass fire, destroyed an outbuilding, and forced the evacuation of five homes.
- The Army ordered a temporary safety stand-down of AH-64 Apache training flight operations following the incident.
- An internal military memo dated August 14, 2026, indicated the grounding would end at midnight on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with flights resuming the next day.
- A U.S. official confirmed that a known transmission issue, which had prompted groundings of some Echo models three months prior, was eliminated as a cause for this crash.
- The Army has recorded nine fatalities from nineteen Class A mishaps between fiscal year 2023 and late 2026.
// Timeline
-
An Apache helicopter goes down near the coast of Oman after reportedly being struck by an Iranian drone.
-
An AH-64E Apache crashes in Salado, Texas, during a maintenance test flight, killing two pilots and sparking a 155-acre fire.
-
Investigators from the Army Combat Readiness Center arrive at the Texas crash site to lead the investigation.
-
The Army publicly announces a temporary training stand-down, while an internal memo schedules the grounding to end on Tuesday night.
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The temporary safety grounding of the Apache fleet is scheduled to conclude at midnight.
-
U.S. Army Apache training flight operations are scheduled to officially resume.
// Perspectives
[U.S. Army]
Focused on conducting a rapid safety review and academic stand-down to address safety trends, while quickly resuming training flights after ruling out systemic transmission failures.
[Boeing]
Collaborating closely with the Army to address previously identified transmission components, though declining to share specific progress publicly.
// Quotes
“The stand-down will remain in effect until we have a better understanding of the root cause of the accident.”
“Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Soldiers we lost Wednesday. The Army is a family, and a tragedy like this is felt throughout our formations and our community.”
“During the Army aviation AH-64 fleet safety stand down, commands will focus on aviation academics and safety related topics.”
