2023 Fort Campbell mid-air collision

On March 29, 2023, two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, both operated by the 101st Airborne Division, collided over Fort Campbell in Trigg County, Kentucky, United States.[1][2] All nine servicemen were killed.[3] The identities of the deceased have not yet been released.[4] The black box belonging to Black Haws were found and night-vision goggles were used by the pilots during the exercise.[5]

2023 Fort Campbell mid-air collision
Accident
DateMarch 29, 2023
SummaryMid-air collision at Fort Campbell
SiteFort Campbell, Kentucky, United States
Total fatalities9
First aircraft
TypeSikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Fatalities5
Second aircraft
TypeSikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Fatalities4

Crash

The crash occurred at around 11p.m. (EDT), during a routine training mission over Trigg County, Kentucky.[4][6] Both helicopters were operated by the 101st Airborne Division. The crash occurred just west of the US Army base of Fort Campbell, near the Kentucky-Tennessee border.[7] A local witness, James Hughes, stated that the helicopters had been flying "pretty low" over local homes when the collision occurred.[6] The weather at the time of the crash was clear.[8]

Early in the morning of March 30, 2023, the 101st Airborne confirmed that there had been a number of casualties.[6] A US Army Soldier at the scene told informed the local WKDZ-FM radio station that there had been several fatalities and that the county coroner had been called.[9] Kentucky state police were called at around 10:15 (EST), and rushed to an area of woods and fields. Sarah Burgess, a spokesperson for the KSP stated that multiple agencies were participating in the investigation, and also stated that no residential areas had been affected.[3]

Prior incidents

The incident was not the first air collision in the vicinity of the base; in March 1988, 17 servicemen were killed when two UH-60 Blackhawks collided doing routine night maneuvers. In 1996, six 101st Airborne Division servicemen were killed when two army Blackhawk helicopters collided near the base. In 2015, two pilots were killed following a helicopter crash during training. In 2017, four pilots were injured in a similar incident, and in 2018, a helicopter crash nearby killed two people.[10]

Victims

There were no survivors of the incident; all nine servicemen perished. Their identities have not been disclosed pending next of kin notification.[4]

Response

Kentucky governor Andy Beshear announced the incident on Twitter soon after it occurred, stating that fatalities were expected.[4]

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said that he was "devastated", and that his team was in contact with the US Army and authorities on the ground.[3]

See also

References
  1. Ives, Mike (March 29, 2023). "Two Army Helicopters Collide Over Kentucky". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  2. Wright, Lucas (March 29, 2023). "2 Fort Campbell helicopters crash during training mission in Trigg County, officials confirm". WKRN-TV. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. Britzky, Tina Burnside,Chloe Liu,Haley (March 30, 2023). "9 soldiers killed after 2 Blackhawk helicopters crash in Kentucky during training mission, Army official says". CNN. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  4. Helsel, Phil (March 29, 2023). "Two Blackhawk helicopters crash in Kentucky, Army base says". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  5. Press, The Associated (April 5, 2023). "Flight data recorders found after deadly Black Hawk crash". Army Times. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. Griffin, Allie; Brown, Lee (March 30, 2023). "Two Fort Campbell helicopters crash in Kentucky, multiple feared dead". Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  7. Lenthang, Phil Helsel, Chantal Da Silva and Marlene. "9 soldiers killed in Army helicopter training crash in Kentucky". CNBC. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  8. Ali, Idrees; Stewart, Phil; Ali, Idrees; Stewart, Phil (March 30, 2023). "Kentucky helicopter crash: nine killed after Army Black Hawks collide". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  9. "Nine Killed In Crash Of Two Army Helicopters In Trigg County". WKDZ Radio. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  10. Carbonaro, Giulia (March 30, 2023). "Fort Campbell helicopter crash leaves multiple dead in Kentucky—Governor". Newsweek. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
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